Meals on Wheels of RI and Chelo’s Hometown Bar & Grille Partner To Provide A New Dining Experience:
Rhode Island active seniors now able to enjoy restaurant entrees as part of Senior Dining Program
August-16-2007

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (August 16, 2007): Meals on Wheels of RI and Chelo’s Hometown Bar & Grill, 505 Silver Spring Street, Providence, have become partners in the expansion of Meals on Wheel’s statewide senior nutrition program.

Chelo’s will be accepting Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island coupons good for one entree off their senior dining menu Monday through Friday between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., beginning Monday, September 10, 2007.

Meals on Wheels of RI has expanded its statewide senior nutrition program to meet the needs of today’s active seniors. Now, Rhode Island residents 60 years old or older can receive a coupon good for their choice of one of five entrees (includes choice of beverage) for a $5 donation to Meals on Wheels of RI. 100% of the proceeds will be used to purchase the meals.

“Chelo’s Restaurants, Inc and the Chelo family are extremely pleased to have been asked to participate in the creation of this program with Meals on Wheels. We embrace the opportunity to reach out to the community, particularly with this group of folks who have supported Chelo’s for so long. The Senior Dining Program allows us an opportunity to give back to these seniors that have been coming to dine with us for so long. We are proud to participate and look at it as a very direct way to thank these ladies and gentlemen for helping make Chelo’s a RI icon!” stated Bob Crowley, vice president of operations for Chelo’s.

"We are committed to meeting the needs of our senior citizens in the state of Rhode Island. It is our pleasure to partnership with Chelo's Restaurant to make it possible for not only our frail elderly to enjoy a nutritious meal delivered to their home, but also to make available the opportunity for our well seniors to enjoy eating good, nutritious food that Chelo's is known for and experiencing a social experience that they might not have been able to afford," noted Sandy Centazzo, president & CEO of Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island, Inc.

Corinne Calise Russo, director of the RI Department of Elderly Affairs added, “I am so pleased and excited about this new program that will appeal to a totally new population of older persons. This initiative presents an opportunity for active older adults involved in the community who desire a flexible lunch schedule in a new and relaxing social environment. With funding from the Dept. of Elderly Affairs through the federal Administration on Aging, Chelo’s is in the forefront of piloting this restaurant program with Meals on Wheels of RI, which hopefully will be duplicated at other Chelo’s establishments throughout the state. I wish to personally thank and congratulate the Chelo’s family for their enthusiasm and recognition of our senior population in providing a quality meal in a friendly environment. I am confident that this partnership will flourish into a very successful endeavor in the years ahead.”

For more information about the program, or where to obtain coupons, contact Pauline Asprinio at Meals on Wheels, 401-351-6700, extension 125.

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Established in 1969, Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the nutritional and other emergency needs of the elderly who have no one to help them. Meals on Wheels of RI, Inc. is a multidimensional agency focused on providing nutritious meals and an array of direct and indirect support services as a means of helping the growing population of frail elderly Rhode Island residents maintain their independent lifestyles.

The office is located at 70 Bath Street, Providence, RI 02908.
Phone: (401) 351-6700;
Fax: (401) 351-8062;
Web: www.rimeals.org.