Last August, Houghton County voters chose to add a new senior nutrition millage to the tax roll. The move helped the county join much of the state’s county governments in supporting Meals on Wheels through a local tax millage.
The foundation estimates an expanded program will cost $2 million annually. The Elder Nutrition Millage rate of 1 mill expects to generate $1.2 million for the program. A contract with Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress provides under $275,000 through the Older Americans Act of 1965. The foundation plans to fill the remaining funding gap through fundraising, while Copper Shores spends $300,000 annually on the program.
Copper Shores promised the community it would use millage funds to expand the program’s reach and establish new Meet and Eat sites.
For several years, Copper Shores Meals on Wheels has set up Meet and Eat sites in the region. But most were located in the northern area of the county, where a larger portion of the region’s population lives. However, that meant seniors living a little south needed to drive further for community and a delicious lunch.
On Friday, seniors in southern Houghton County didn’t have to drive far to meet their friends and enjoy a meal with Copper Shores.
“That’s the whole purpose of this is for people to sit down, hang out with their neighbors, chat a lot, and just be part of the community again,” said Amanda Karlsson, meal site coordinator for Copper Shores Meals on Wheels. “… along with a banana. And we always provide 2% milk with our meals as well.”
Karlsson served a lunch complete with baked whitefish, locally sourced vegetables and rice. She says the response to the Meet and Eat meals has been fantastic.
“It was excellent. I’m not even a big fish person and it was delicious, I have to say,” said Pat Spencer, Laird Township supervisor.
Karlsson emphasized the program’s commitment to local sourcing.
“Working with 11 farms in the Keweenaw right now to get our fresh produce from. We also work with local businesses such as Krupp’s Pasties. That’s always a hit when we have those going on,” Karlsson said. “And then as often as we can, we work out with other local businesses if we can get, because we do serve a lot of folks. We do upwards of 300 meals a day. So if they have the volume, we would love to work with local people as much as we can.”
Spencer helped Copper Shores find a location in the area for seniors to meet. She says it’s great to see the Laird Township Hall in use. Copper Shores Meals on Wheels have open sites in Twin Lakes and Alston Township.
“Oh yeah, it’s been very positive and I know there’s people who plan to be at these that aren’t here right now and I know several of them have contacted me and said I can’t be there this week but I’ll be next week so hopefully it’ll increase over time and it’s a good first week because we only knew about it a week ago,” Spencer said.
Karlsson says the foundation hopes to find locations in Kenton and Sidnaw next to serve seniors close to home.
While serving the seniors on Friday, she likened working at the meal sites to joining grandma’s table for lunch. She says it’s wonderful to see seniors combat loneliness while filling up on a nutritious meal.
“Feels like I have an extended family doing the serving here, so it’s really nice. And I learn a lot about the community. I learn a lot about what the community needs,” Karlsson said.
As of 2024, Meals on Wheels served more than 94,000 meals to seniors. With the expanded support from the elder nutrition millage, Copper Shores will deliver many more to seniors across Houghton County.
Learn more about Copper Shores Meals on Wheels and the new Meet and Eat sites online.
Chassell – Monday & Wednesday at noon
- Chassell VFW, 42103 Wilson Memorial Drive, Chassell, MI 49916
Hancock – Monday through Friday at noon
- Lakeview Manor, 1401 W. Quincy Street, Hancock, MI 49930
Lake Linden – Tuesday & Thursday at noon
- Maple Lane, 210 Calumet Street, Lake Linden, MI 49945
Mohawk – Monday through Friday at noon
- Keweenaw Pines, 3183 US Highway 41, Mohawk, MI 49950
Alston – Friday at noon
- Laird Township Hall, 24295 Alston Road, Pelkie, MI 49958
Kenton/Sidnaw – Coming soon!
- Sidnaw Community Hall (Winter), 6071 Mill Town Road, Sidnaw, MI 49961
- Duncan Township Hall (Summer), 4753 Harrison Street, Kenton, MI 49967
Twin Lakes – Tuesday at noon
- Twin Lakes Volunteer Fire Hall, 32850 Hwy M-26, Toivola, MI 49965
Those interested in supporting Copper Shores Meet and Eat sites should contact Meals on Wheels Director Jessica Mills for more information. The Meals on Wheels program phone number is 906-483-1155 or email the program at mealsonwheels@coppershores.org.
