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Senate President Therese Murray Speaks at Old Colony Elder Services Legislative Breakfast

Senator Therese Murray was the keynote speaker at a recent Legislative Breakfast hosted by Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) and held at the John Carver Inn in Plymouth. Old Colony Elder Services’ (OCES) is a non-profit corporation which serves residents in 23 towns in the greater Brockton and Plymouth areas. OCES is one of 27 similar agencies designated by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs as an Aging Services Access Point (ASAP).

More than 60 individuals from a number of elder service agencies were in attendance along with State Representatives Vinny DeMacedo, Susan Gifford and Tom Calter; Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald, Jr.; and OCES’ Board of Directors. Plymouth Selectman Mathew Muratore, Caitlin Kenerson from Representative Christine Canavan’s office, and Lisa Budge Johnson from Sheriff McDonald’s office also attended. Senate President Murray spoke of the challenges to human service agencies delivering services to elders and disabled individuals in the current economic climate and she elaborated on how the Fiscal 2011 budget will impact funding for the upcoming year.

“We’re in a tough economic climate and seniors are especially at risk,” noted Senator Murray addressing OCES and elder service representatives in the audience. “We’re doing the best we can and we thank you for all you do.”

A member of the Massachusetts State Senate since 1993 and elected President of the Senate in 2007, Senator Murray has worked to improve the lives of seniors throughout her career. Following her speech, Al Norman, Executive Director of Mass Home Care presented Senator Murray with a “Home Care Hero” award.

Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES who is also the Vice President of Mass Home Care said, “We want to thank Senator Murray for everything she has done and continues to do for elder consumers.”

About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers such as Family Caregiver; Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services; Home Care and more.

OCES offers these programs in the towns of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.

The organization’s mission is to provide services that support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent unnecessary or premature institutionalization.

In 2009, OCES was honored with the Metro-South Chamber of Commerce’s “Economic Impact Award”. The agency has 140 employees. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

Senate President Therese Murray Speaks at Old Colony Elder Services Legislative BreakfastRead More

The Bridge Center offers Bridges to Independence: College, Career, Community to students with Asperger’s Syndrome and other disabilities whose goals include college.

BRIDGEWATER, MASS.

The Bridge Center, a non-profit (501)(c)( 3) recreation center that serves children with developmental, physical and emotional disabilities, recently announced the 2010-11 schedule for its newest program, Bridges to Independence: College, Career, Community. The program, which serves teens and young adults preparing to either attend college or join the work force, will be held weekly on Saturdays, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and on Wednesdays, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

“Bridges to Independence helps teens with disabilities, including Asperger’s Syndrome and High Functioning Autism, prepare for the transition to independent living as a college student or through meaningful employment,” said Jennifer Harber, executive director of The Bridge Center. “While these teens show very strong skills in many areas, college and employment can create real challenges for them — time management, taking care of themselves by preparing meals and doing laundry, and complicated social expectations. Our program provides them some practical skills that support both academic and employment success.”

The program is tailored for teens and young adults (ages 14- 25) and provides instruction and practice in the skills needed for independent living such as laundry, cooking and cleaning, and balancing a checkbook, as well as career and college focused skills such as completing a job or college application, interviewing, and selecting the best environment.  Additionally, the program provides supervised volunteer work experiences throughout The Bridge Center’s 20-acre campus.  An additional emphasis is placed on social and communication skills, especially self-awareness and skills for working as part of a group.

In addition to the “College, Career, Community” program, The Bridge Center offers an additional program, Bridges to Independence: Work, Friendship, Life. This program is for teens and young adults (ages 14-35) to provide instruction in the skills necessary for increased living independence and vocational success, as well as structured social and recreational opportunities.  Skills addressed include cleaning, cooking skills and safety, and money handling for greater independence.  As with the other Bridges to Independence program, participants practice their work skills throughout campus.

“The Bridges to Independence programs are a key element of our mission at The Bridge Center; they focus on helping young people develop their skills for more independent participation in their communities,” said Harber.

For more information about the Bridges to Independence programs or other programs at The Bridge Center, visit www.TheBridgeCtr.org.

About The Bridge Center

The Bridge Center, which is the new name for Handi Kids, was founded by the Knights of Pythias in 1963. The Bridge Center’s beautiful 20-acre campus is located in Bridgewater, MA and provides accessible play and skill-building activities for all children regardless of the nature or severity of their disability. Year-round activities include nine weeks of summer camp, therapeutic horseback riding, school vacation camps, holiday parties, Saturday programs, teen programs, vocational training, after-school activities and family support groups. 

The Bridge Center also offers carefully designed summer programs and social skills groups designed to meet the social and behavioral needs of children with Asperger’s Syndrome, High Functioning Autism and related challenges.

If you’d like to learn more about The Bridge Center’s programs or are interested in becoming a supporter, please call (508) 697-7557 or send an e-mail to info@TheBridgeCtr.org.

The Bridge Center offers Bridges to Independence: College, Career, Community to students with Asperger’s Syndrome and other disabilities whose goals include college.Read More

Blackstone Valley Music Festival to be Held on September 25th at Habitat for Sports & Soccer

Masters Touch of Medfield, a one-stop-shop providing architectural, design and construction services, is sponsoring the Blackstone Valley Music Festival, which will be held on Saturday, September 25th from noon to midnight at the Habitat for Sports and Soccer, 374 West St, Uxbridge, MA.

The Blackstone Valley Music Festival is an all-day, family friendly event, featuring 10 local bands of many genres including folk, pop, blues, and rock. The “Masters of Noyes” band, led by Masters Touch president Doug Masters, will be one of the featured acts. All the bands are playing for free to help raise money for the American Cancer Society.

The event will also feature a beer brewing contest, a chili cook off and many activities for children during the day.

Tickets are $10 each for age 16 and up and free for children 15 and under. Tickets will be sold at the door. A portion of proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

For those who cannot make the event but who would like to support the cause, check donations should be made payable to the American Cancer Society and mailed to: Masters Touch, P.O. Box, 171, Medfield, MA 02052 Attn: Doug.

For a musical preview, visit www.myspace.com/mastersofnoyes.

For questions, contact Doug Masters directly at 508-359-5900.

The Masters Touch
Masters Touch is a full service design/build and remodeling contractor. With a team of more than 50, including architects, interior designers and project managers all working together, Masters Touch can handle all of a client’s home building or improvement projects and provide expert guidance to DIY folks.

Masters Touch was founded by Doug Masters in 1997. From high-end design and build projects; kitchen and bath renovations; exterior painting, roofing and siding projects to flooring, interior painting and decorating projects, Masters Touch caters to homeowners throughout the Metrowest area.

Masters Touch is a Showcase Priority Dealer for Hunter Douglas and offers professional design and installation service. The one-stop interior design and home improvement shop also offers Marvin and Harvey windows; six lines of custom and semi-custom cabinetry; more than 150 types of granite and Corian countertops; paint; carpet; hardwood and tile flooring; home theater design and installation and much more.

The company offers written warranties on all their work. Masters Touch is located on Route 109 in Medfield, MA. For more information contact 508-359-5900, e-mail info@masterstouchweb.com or visit www.masterstouchweb.com.

Blackstone Valley Music Festival to be Held on September 25th at Habitat for Sports & SoccerRead More

Effective storage solutions for your garage… DirectBuy of Orlando provides tips on garage organization

ORLANDO, FL…

As you’re tripping over paint cans and bumping into old bicycles, you may not realize that your garage could be the most functional space in the house. After all, what other room can serve as workshop, potting shed, storage locker, recycling plant, and carport all at once? A garage is also the best place to store many items that are not used on a daily basis such as holiday decorations, gardening supplies, tools, and anything else that clutters the home.

Creating effective storage in the garage can be done with a bit of ingenuity and planning. DirectBuy of Orlando, the leading home improvement and home furnishings club with direct insider prices, offers these helpful hints on creating usable working space in your garage:

  • When in doubt, throw it out … Clutter can take over a garage. Before you plan your storage solutions, sort through the clutter and plan  a garage sale, give unwanted items to charity or just throw them out.
  • Get organized … Cut down on clutter and get your garage organized by installing garage cabinets. A new set of cabinets will clear the floor of tools, supplies, and athletic equipment plus open new space for a workshop or potting shed. Cabinets also work well for protecting their contents from moisture and dust.
  • Maximize your space … Maximize available space in your garage by using narrow storage shelves or wall-mounted racks that can stack up neatly against the walls and leave room for cars.
  • Smart labeling … Another smart idea is to mark storage bins so they are easy to find or use clear plastic storage boxes to immediately see what you are looking for. No more wasted time searching through an unorganized mess!

“Installing effective storage solutions in your garage means you have quickly created a new room in your home. In a short amount of time and with little investment, homeowners can create a workshop, athletic storage system, potting shed, or any other working solution they may need or imagine,” said Brian Cohen, owner of DirectBuy of Orlando. “DirectBuy also gives members the opportunity to save a lot of money by buying storage solutions for their garage, directly from the manufacturer.”

DirectBuy carries a wide selection of garage cabinets to help you reduce clutter and get organized. A one-stop shop for all your home building and home remodeling projects, DirectBuy offers industrial quality and industrial strength garage cabinetry that can hold and organize a variety of items that would normally clutter your space. These garage storage cabinets make a great addition to your home or auto shop business for storing assorted parts, tools, and chemicals that can pose a threat when simply lying around.

Since 1971, DirectBuy Club has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring, and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer. Conveniently located at 502 Sunport Lane, Suite 400, in Orlando, DirectBuy of Orlando offers consumers a comfortable, welcoming setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

For more information on a DirectBuy Club membership, visit directbuycares.com.

About DirectBuy Club

For more than 39 years, DirectBuy Club has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories and much, much more. With more than 150 locations in North America, DirectBuy Club offers its members access to more than 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in Canada.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy Club’s savings, service and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting directbuy.com or directbuycares.com.

Effective storage solutions for your garage… DirectBuy of Orlando provides tips on garage organizationRead More

Ed O’Donnell, former BRA Deputy Director, joins Waypoint Construction Consultants of Needham as Predevelopment Director and Permitting Specialist

Waypoint Construction Consultants, Inc., a professional construction consulting firm based in Needham, Mass. and serving clients on the East Coast and beyond for nearly a decade, has recently named Edward O’Donnell as Pre-development Director and Permitting Specialist.

In his new role, O’Donnell, a resident of Boston, will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of comprehensive and cost effective public review, approval and permitting process. O’Donnell brings more than 25 years of valuable industry experience in senior leadership positions in both the private and public sectors to Waypoint.

Previously, O’Donnell was Boston Redevelopment Authority’s Deputy Director for Commercial and Residential Development where he was involved with a number of high profile projects including the Millennium Place and Ritz Carlton mixed use project; the Lafayette Corporate Center; the expansion and modernization of the Prudential Center; the Genzyme manufacturing facility; several new or expanded downtown hotels as well as institutional expansions for Emerson College and Suffolk University. O’Donnell played a critical role in the adoption and implementation of Article 80 of the Boston Zoning Code, which governs the review and approval of large and small development projects.

During his time in the private sector, O’Donnell worked for some of the region’s leading real estate companies, assembling and directing all of the various disciplines within the development process. His experience ranges from multifamily housing, active adult communities, commercial and retail projects to single family subdivisions, a major commercial rehabilitation project along Boston Harbor and historical tax credit rehabilitation projects. O’Donnell has won approvals for dozens of development projects throughout Greater Boston and New England, representing projects before City Councils, Planning Boards, and Zoning Boards of Appeal.

O’Donnell holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Boston University and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

“Ed’s vast experience along with his knowledge of market analysis, strategic positioning and media and community relations gives Waypoint the opportunity to better serve our clients from project conception to completion. The ability to meet the permitting and entitlements needs of our clients in these times of economic uncertainty made Ed the ideal choice for Pre-development Director. We’re very pleased to have him on our team,” noted James Mitrano, Principal, Waypoint Construction Consultants.

About Waypoint

Founded in 2001, Waypoint Construction Consultants is a hands-on consulting firm providing owner representation for various sizes and types of building construction, restoration and renovation. Waypoint assists clients through the entire building process, from property acquisition to occupancy.

The company offers a wide ranges of services including: project management and oversight; strategic planning; construction monitoring and administration; pre-development services; tenant fit-out services; clerk of the works services; dispute resolution support; sustainability planning and move coordination.

Waypoint caters to clients in a variety of sectors ranging from academic/cultural, commercial, green building and healthcare to historic, housing, non-profit, retail and restaurant sectors.

With over 35 years combined experience in the construction and engineering industry, the Waypoint team helps clients make informed decisions to optimize cost, time and operations resources. Waypoint Construction Consultants is headquartered at 6 Oakhurst Circle in Needham, MA. For more information, visit the website at www.waypointcc.com or contact (781) 449-0444.

Ed O’Donnell, former BRA Deputy Director, joins Waypoint Construction Consultants of Needham as Predevelopment Director and Permitting SpecialistRead More

A site to see…Resort Maps launches new look Web site

Peter Hans
Peter Hans, CEO of Resort Maps Franchise, Inc.

WAITSFIELD, VERMONT…

Resort Maps, creator of 100 customized travel maps across the United States, United Kingdom, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, recently revamped the look of its Web site, www.resortmaps.com.

The new and improved Web site showcases Resort Maps brand new logo, as well as a number of other new features, including links to travel tips, travel discounts, featured destinations and reviews of Resort Maps advertisers, courtesy of TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site. The new site also provides easy access to online versions of Resort Maps so that traveler’s can navigate around the map in the area they plan to visit before their trip and discover the best places to stay, eat, shop and play.  The site also includes an order form for travelers who would like a hard copy map.

“When some people turn a landmark age, they change the way they dress or buy a sports car. When we printed our 100th map, we decided to revamp and improve our Web site,” said Peter Hans, president of Resort Maps Franchise, Inc. “Besides being more user-friendly, we think we’ve added some features to make online visitors’ experience at resortmaps.com far more enjoyable.”

Hans pens one of those new features, “Peter Picks”. A former investment banker who worked abroad for more than a dozen years, Hans has traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia and Australia. With the “Peter’s Picks” column, he describes some favorite destinations, both within the Resorts Maps network and to places he hopes to create Resort Maps in the not so distant future.

“The column is just one more fun aspect of the new site,” said Hans.  “Our Web site is also a valuable resource to travelers as our maps have been throughout the company’s more than a quarter of a century in business.”

Resort Maps are colorful, hand-drawn maps of towns and cities, distributed free to area visitors at travel information and rest areas as well as at advertiser locations. Each map highlights local attractions and things to do, restaurants, accommodations, retail shops, real estate and other services. Each advertiser on the map is represented with a display ad on the perimeter of the map, including a color-coded grid locator and their actual building hand-drawn, highlighted and labeled, making them easy to locate. 

For more information on Resort Maps or to inquire about ownership of a Resort Maps franchise, please visit www.resortmaps.com or call 802-496-6277.

About Resort Maps

Headquartered in the Green Mountains of Vermont, Resort Maps has been creating and publishing advertising maps in the northeastern U.S. since 1986. In 1993, Resort Maps expanded its reach by creating a franchise model for distribution of its colorful, hand-drawn maps of resort towns and cities. Today, that network of franchises has grown to 100 Resort Maps in publication in the US and the UK, with several more in the process of being published.  Nearly 20 million Resort Maps will be printed and distributed in 2010.

For more information on Resort Maps and/or the franchise opportunity, visit www.resortmaps.com or call 802-496-6277.

Resort Maps franchises serve cities and towns in California (Carmel, Monterey), Colorado (Boulder, Breckenridge, Cherry Creek, Colorado Springs, Denver, Vail & Beaver Creek, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Summit County), Delaware (Bethany Beach, Rehoboth Beach), Florida (Clearwater Beach and Gulf Beaches, Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, Delray Beach, Melbourne, New Smyrna Beach, St. Augustine, Tarpon Springs), Georgia (Savannah/Tybee Island), Maine (Bar Harbor/Acadia, Boothbay region, Camden-Rockland, Kennebunkport, Kittery, Portland, York-Ogunquit), Maryland (Annapolis, Eastern Shore, Ocean City,  Solomons Island, St. Mary’s County), Massachusetts (Berkshires, Brewster/Harwich/Dennis, Chatham-Orleans, Eastham-Wellfleet, Falmouth, Hyannis-Yarmouth, Martha’s Vineyard, Newburyport, Plymouth, Sturbridge, Worcester), Michigan (Petoskey and Harbor Springs, Traverse City, Northern Michigan), New Hampshire (Franconia/Notch Region, Hampton Beach, Hanover/Lebanon , Keene, Lakes Region, Mount Washington Valley, Portsmouth), New Jersey (Barnegat Bay, Cape May, Hoboken/Jersey City, Hunterdon, Lambertville , Long Beach Island, New Brunswick, Ocean Grove, Point Pleasant, Princeton, Sandy Hook), New York (The North Fork, Lake George , Lake Placid, Saratoga Springs, The Hamptons,), North Carolina (Asheville, Brunswick County, Hendersonville , Outer Banks, Salisbury and Rowan County, Sandhills, Wilmington,), Pennsylvania (Bucks County, Chestnut Hill, Delaware River Valley, Gettysburg, Lehigh Valley, The Main Line), Rhode Island (Newport, Providence), South Carolina (Charleston, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach), Tennessee (Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge), Vermont (Addison County/Brandon, Barre/Montpelier, Burlington, Killington/Rutland, Mad River Valley, Manchester, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers’ Notch, Stowe, Waterbury/Richmond, Woodstock/Quechee) and Virginia (Northern Neck & Middle Peninsula) —as well as towns and cities in England (Chicester, Lewes) and Puerto Rico (Vieques, Culebra).

A site to see…Resort Maps launches new look Web siteRead More

Masters Touch of Medfield Named to 2010 Qualified Remodeler Top 500

Masters Touch of Medfield, a one-stop-shop providing architectural, design and construction services, has been named to the 2010 Qualified Remodeler Top 500 for the third consecutive year.

Masters Touch has been named to the 2010 Top 500 list of remodeling firms by Qualified Remodeler Magazine. The annual listing is published to recognize remodeling firms for six criteria of success: Annual sales volume for the previous year, total number of years in business, association membership, certified employees on staff, industry awards and community service. Each company submitted a letter or audited statement from their CPA to verify their total volume of sales.

Masters Touch was ranked 225 on the QR 2010 Top 500.

“It is an honor to be recognized among the best companies in the nation,” said Doug Masters, President of Masters Touch. “This ranking is validation that our emphasis on quality and service has set us apart.”

The annual Top 500 list was published in the August 2010 issue of Qualified Remodeler, and on the magazine’s Web site: www.qualifiedremodeler.com. Founded in 1975, Qualified Remodeler was the first magazine dedicated to serve the residential and light commercial remodeling industry. Cygnus Business Media publishes the magazine, which serves more than 81,000 remodeling firms nationwide.

The Masters Touch
Masters Touch is a full service design/build and remodeling contractor. With a team of more than 50, including architects, interior designers and project managers all working together, Masters Touch can handle all of a client’s home building or improvement projects and provide expert guidance to DIY folks.

Masters Touch was founded by Doug Masters in 1997. From high-end design and build projects; kitchen and bath renovations; exterior painting, roofing and siding projects to flooring, interior painting and decorating projects, Masters Touch caters to homeowners throughout the Metrowest area.

Masters Touch is a Showcase Priority Dealer for Hunter Douglas and offers professional design and installation service. The one-stop interior design and home improvement shop also offers Marvin and Harvey windows; six lines of custom and semi-custom cabinetry; more than 150 types of granite and Corian countertops; paint; carpet; hardwood and tile flooring; home theater design and installation and much more.

The company offers written warranties on all their work. Masters Touch is located on Route 109 in Medfield, MA. For more information contact 508-359-5900, e-mail info@masterstouchweb.com or visit www.masterstouchweb.com.

Masters Touch of Medfield Named to 2010 Qualified Remodeler Top 500Read More

Michael Carroll Named Office Manager at Winters Company Plumbing, Heating & Cooling

Michael Carroll, a Gloucester resident, has been named Office Manager at Winters Company Plumbing, Heating & Cooling of Cambridge.

Carroll, who joined Winters Company in October of 2008, has been promoted to Office Manager. He started his career with Winters as a Customer Service Representative and worked his way up to Service Manager and then Call Center Manager before becoming the Office Manager. In his new role, Carroll will oversee office operations, accounts receivable, dispatch management, customer service and inside sales management. He’ll also be responsible for all sales and service reporting. Carroll has been trained in “The Winters Way” as well as at the Nexstar CSR/DSR and Service Systems programs.

Previous to Winters, Carroll was employed at Ski Market, the specialty sporting goods store, for seven years. Carroll served as Ski Market’s General Manager in Woburn MA and previous to that, he was the General Manager of Nashua and Manchester NH stores. Prior to that, he was the Assistant Manager in the Danvers store. Carroll won a number National and regional sales awards of awards.

Carroll graduated from Christian Brothers Academy high school in Albany, NY which participates in U.S. Army’s JROTC program. He holds an Associate in Applied Science in Business Administration from Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY and a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in finance from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY.

He is a native of Albany, NY.

“Mike has worn just about every hat at our corporate office and this promotion is well-deserved,” noted Tim Flynn, president of Winters Company.

About Winters Company Plumbing, Heating & Cooling

Since 1994, Winters Company Plumbing, Heating & Cooling has specialized in providing home services of plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), and kitchen and bath remodeling projects to thousands of homeowners throughout Eastern Massachusetts.

Winters Company is the largest residential plumbing company in the state, with 20 trucks on the road and a full staff of licensed and insured plumbers and technicians. In addition to 24 hour service and lifetime guarantees on many of their services, Winters Company has standardized their services, which ensures that every customer receives the same high quality workmanship delivered in the same professional and courteous manner.

Winter Company’s trusted professionals are trained to care for a home ‘s systems as well as the home and homeowner. All of Winter’s technicians undergo drug-testing and background checks, ensuring that only first-rate providers comprise Winter’s team.

Winters Company has been honored with a number of awards over the years including the Local Torch Award for Excellence from the Better Business Bureau and Angie’s List Super Service Award. Winters Company is headquartered in Cambridge, MA. For more information, call (617) 484-2121 or visit the website at www.wintersplumbing.com.

Michael Carroll, Office Manager at Winters Company

Michael Carroll Named Office Manager at Winters Company Plumbing, Heating & CoolingRead More

Old Colony Elder Services Offers Tips for Stretching Food Dollars

Many families are concerned about the rising costs of food.

Shawn Smith, Registered Dietician and Nutrition Program Director at Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a non-profit Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) serving 23 towns in the greater Brockton and Plymouth areas, shares tips from the USDA: Food and Nutrition Service on stretching your food dollars through budgeting and food selection.

According to Smith, “You have to know your food budget. Make a shopping list based on how much you have to spend and buy only the amounts of fresh foods you can use before they spoil. Consider frozen or shelf stable items that last longer and try to plan meals around what’s on sale”.

Smith offers insight on a few of the best buys for cost and nutrition:

Breads and Grains. Look for bargains on day old bread. It costs less but is still nutritious. Buy regular rice, oatmeal and grits instead of instant to save money, sugar and calories.

Vegetables and Salad. Buy large bags of frozen vegetables. Seal tightly in the freezer between uses. Avoid pre-bagged salad mixes. They are usually more expensive and spoil faster.

Fruits. Buy fresh fruits in season, when they generally cost less. Frozen and canned fruits are a smart choice all year round.

Low-Fat Milk Products. Buy fresh, low-fat milk in the largest size that can be used before spoiling. Larger containers cost less than smaller sizes. Ultra-pasteurized milk has a longer expiration date and won’t spoil as fast

Meat and Beans. Chuck or bottom round roast has less fat and is cheaper than sirloin.

Dried beans and peas are a good source of protein and fiber. They last a long time without spoiling.

Look for specials at the meat counter. Buy meat on sale for big savings. Buy meat in large bulk packages to save money. Freeze portions you won’t use right away to prevent spoiling.

If you are struggling to put food on the table, the USDA’s nutrition assistance programs may help. You may qualify for more than Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

OCES can help. Contact the Nutrition Department at OCES (508) 584-1561.

About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers such as Family Caregiver; Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services; Home Care and more.

OCES offers these programs in the towns of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.

The organization’s mission is to provide services that support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent unnecessary or premature institutionalization.

In 2009, OCES was honored with the Metro-South Chamber of Commerce’s “Economic Impact Award”. The agency has 140 employees. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

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