SAUGUS — Cars belonging to Saugus Senior Center members lined up outside the facility in the cold March wind Tuesday to take advantage of free grab-and-go meals offered courtesy of Wheelabrator Saugus.
Between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., workers from both the center and Wheelabrator passed out more than 275 bright orange bags of Corned beef and cabbage dinners — catered and packaged by Route 1 Grill House in honor of St. Patrick’s Day– to dozens of Saugus seniors.
Wheelabrator Community Relations Liaison Stephanie Mastrocola, who hosted the event alongside senior center Director Joanne Olsen and Clerk Laurie Davis, said monthly grab-and-go meals have become a way to keep members of the center connected during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When the senior center was open, we would do a New Years Eve party, a St. Patrick’s Day luncheon, a Valentine’s Day luncheon,” Mastrocola said. “I can’t imagine if (seniors) pulled up to the center and it just said ‘closed for the year.’ I think by doing these things monthly, there’s hope.”
The idea has so far been popular with Saugus Senior Center members, including Sue Fleming, who was there by 10:30 a.m. to pick up three meals: one for herself, her husband, and a friend.
“We look forward to it every month. I think it’s great they’re doing this for the seniors seeing that the center is closed,” Fleming said. “I used to come for the monthly lunches they would have up here and it was always a great time, so when the center closed and they started doing this, it was like, ‘this is awesome.’ We haven’t had a bad meal yet.”
Louis Gallo, who came to pick up a bag for himself and his sister, also said he takes advantage of every event, noting the grab-and-go meals have been a bright spot during an otherwise long and arduous year.
“They’re very, very good,” he said, adding with a laugh: “The price is right.”
