LSS Senior Nutrition Program Diner's Clubs open in area

The Brainerd/Baxter Diner's Club is a new concept in senior dining that will offer seniors an alternative to traditional congregate dining, Lutheran Social Services Senior Nutrition reported.

People age 60 or older and spouses, regardless of age are eligible for the program.

Diner's Club tickets may be obtained at Service Drug on Washington in Brainerd. For more information, contact Service Drug at 829-3664. A suggested donation of $2.50 is requested for each ticket. Participants are asked to fill out a Participant Registration Form and complete their name and date of birth on the ticket. Participants may purchase more than one ticket, not to exceed 22 tickets per visit.

Diner's Club tickets can be redeemed at Country Kitchen in Baxter. Participants need to ask for the Diner's Club menu. Menus will include three or four meal options and seniors may dine anytime during regular business hours. When participants are finished with meals, the ticket is used for payment. Gratuity is not included. Diners may receive one eligible meal per day. All area seniors are welcome and do not have to be a Brainerd or Baxter resident to participate.

Nutrition education place mats are available for diners to enhance the meal and reinforce healthy eating habits. A satisfaction survey is available from the wait staff or cashier.

The Diner's Club program is provided by Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota and funded through the Older Americans Act, which is administered by the Minnesota Board on Aging with contract through the Region 5 Area Agency on Aging. State expansion funds will be utilized to implement the program.

Other new Region 5 Diner's Club listings include programs in Crow Wing County -- Pequot Lakes Diner's Club, Scheela's Shanty Restaurant, Front Street in Pequot Lakes; Crosby Diner's Club, First Avenue Cafe on First Ave. Northwest in Crosby; Todd County, Long Prairie Diner's Club, Geno's Restaurant, Lake Street South, Long Prairie.

Other existing programs are:

-- Cass County, Hackensack Diner's Club, UpNorth Cafe, Highway 371 South, Hackensack.

-- Wadena County, Wadena Diner's Club, Little Round Hill Restaurant, Jefferson Street, Wadena.

-- Morrison County, Motley Diner's Club, Country Side Restaurant, Highway 10 South, Motley; Little Falls Diner's Club, Royal Cafe, Broadway, Little Falls.