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The key to cooking for a lot of people is to use your imagination and to never make the same mistake twice, says Rebecca Lee chef at the Cortez Senior Center.

“It’s easier if you know how many meals you’re serving. I’m used to it now, but if you come up a little short, you remember the next day to cook a little more,” said Lee, who was over her stove at the senior center April 13 preparing a chicken-broccoli stir-fry for 76 people.

Delivery drivers arrived in late morning to transport the meals, which included fried rice, a homemade roll and chocolate pudding, to elderly residents who are no longer able to cook for themselves and don’t live with family members.

Since March 26, when Gov. Jared Polis’ stay-at-home order went into effect, Jon Parker, director of Montezuma County Senior Services, said the number of clients who rely on Meals on Wheels has almost doubled to the current 76 who are served out of the Cortez Senior Center.

Lori Thompson, nutrition director for Montezuma County Senior Services, said a similar spike has occurred at the Meals on Wheels programs based in Mancos and Dolores senior centers. Both centers now serve 28 clients each, also almost double their client bases before coronavirus restrictions took effect.

So far, Thompson says she’s been able to procure the added supplies for the added meals, but she worries about the long-term ability to get a few key items like eggs and milk. Salad lettuce also is showing up on scarcity lists.

Besides the added meals, Thompson said, the number meals routes for Meals on Wheels in Cortez have doubled – from four to eight.

MoCo Public Transportation is helping with several routes as is Community Connections Inc.

Hot meals are prepared for clients at the Cortez Senior Center every weekday except Tuesday. In Mancos, hot meals are prepared Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and in Dolores hot meals are prepared Monday and Wednesday.

In Cortez, delivery drivers on Friday pick up meals prepared at the ShareHouse, including a lot of fresh vegetables and fruits.

Meals on Wheels asks for a $4 donation from clients receiving meals, but Thompson said no one is denied a meal if they can’t pay.

He was able to supply several months worth of frozen meals, and about once a week, a box of frozen meals goes out with the hot Meals on Wheels deliveries to supplement the diets of clients, who are chiefly elderly people living alone and developmentally disabled individuals.

Last week, Parker said Meals on Wheels sent out 700 supplemental frozen meals in addition to the hot meals from the kitchens at the Cortez, Mancos and Dolores senior centers.

Parker believes he has a supply lined up to provide supplemental frozen meals for the next six months. Usually, one box with seven frozen meals goes out to each Meals on Wheels client each week.

“They meet all the federal and state nutritional requirements. It’s things like chicken Parmesan with fruit,” Parker said of one popular frozen meals.

Despite almost doubling meals, Parker said he is hopeful his budget can handle the increased demand.

He’s looking for additional federal, state and private nonprofit grants, and he believes some additional money is set aside in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act signed by President Donald Trump on March 27.

“I give props to my crew. They’ve really stepped up. They’ve busted their tails to get these meals out, and a lot of my staff are in the age group where they’re at higher risk, but there they are coming in every day and getting the job done. They’re the real heroes in all this,” Parker said.

Anyone who wants to help with the programs at the Cortez Senior Center can write a check to the Cortez Senior Center and mail it to 107 N. Chestnut St.; Cortez, CO 82321. You can put Meals on Wheels in the memo line to funnel it to the meals program.

In several months, the whole crew is looking forward to a remodel of the kitchen at the Cortez Senior Center.

Parker said all new appliances, stainless steel shelving and tables and a new walk-in freezer will replace equipment that is decades old.

The remodeled kitchen will be a special gift for seniors when the centers can reopen on the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Cortez Senior Center is not the same without its regulars, Thompson said.

“We do miss gatherings for the daily meals. We miss everybody coming here the camaraderie and fun associating with each other. After lunch, we’d have activities, card games, movies, arts and crafts, and you just don’t have that sitting at home.”