Meals on Wheels: Delivering More Than Nutrition
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
June 2017 VOL. 49, NO. 6 www.keenagernews.org BRINGING NEWS TO SENIORS SINCE 1969 Meals on Wheels: Delivering More than Nutrition Mandy Hamilton SENIOR FEATURE EDITOR Serving More Than Just Great Food Getting proper nutrition can be challenging, but it poses an PAGE 2 even bigger threat to seniors who are unable to prepare their HEALTHY LIVING own food. Catholic Charities Do I have to eat Meals on Wheels and Home differently as I age? Delivered Meals programs help PAGES 6 - 7 homebound seniors in Cook and Lake counties fight food JUNE insecurity by providing nutritious meals five days a week. More BIRTHSTONE: than 3,000 seniors count on Pearl Catholic Charities and their FLOWER: army of volunteers to deliver the Rose meals that enable them to live 6/14 Flag Day independently in their homes. 6/18 Father’s Day Catholic Charities Slayton Goodman delivers meal to Victoria Manolis 6/20 Summer Solstice continued on PAGE 8 SENIOR NUTRITION Reflections from the Editor Everyday ‘Happy Meals’ Happy Summer, Keenager is also answering your Readers! This month we are questions about nutrition in Diego Estebanez focusing on something that our new healthcare column, COMMUNICATIONS INTERN is important for everyone: on pages 6 and 7. eating healthy. It’s definitely Thank you to everyone Eating healthy doesn’t mean not always easy, but making who has shared their stories losing good taste. There are healthy choices for your body about how Catholic Charities hundreds of delicious recipes pays off physically, mentally, has helped them. They are seniors can try to improve both and emotionally. inspiring! Read about how health and not sacrifice a great We’re sharing some our adoption program has dinner. practical tips and resources impacted readers on pages It’s very important for seniors for senior nutrition. If you 10 and 11. Please keep to have a diet that is well- need help with food, there sharing your stories with us; balanced, rich in protein, and low are many programs available send them in by August 1 to in calories. Every person’s diet to you. See pages 8 and 9 for be entered to win our prize should be determined by a doctor Catholic Charities nutrition package (details page 11)! A senior enjoying a nutritious meal at programs. Access Health Mandy Hamilton Accolade Adult Day Care Continued on PAGE 9 TEXT OVER 2 June 2017 SENIOR FEATURE Serving More than Great Food EDITOR Mandy Hamilton Mary Ellen Kastenholz VOLUNTEER EDITORIAL BOARD Rev. Msgr. Michael M. Boland Robert Boyd Janet Bernico At 90 years young, George Kristine Kappel Sharko knows a thing or two Roberta Magurany about nutrition and great Anthony Spalla Angela Taylor food. For 40 years he was in Kindle Wilfinger the restaurant business (the Keenager News is a free monthly average life of a restaurant is publication mailed to persons aged 5-8 years) beginning in 1956 55 and older by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, with the original location of a non-profit organization. Sharko’s West at 6301 W. 63rd EDITORIAL OFFICE Street followed by Sharko’s 721 North LaSalle Street, 2nd Floor East at 79th and Western. Two Chicago, IL 60654-3503 more restaurants opened in Phone (312) 655-7425 the suburbs: Sharko’s Villa For subscriptions, changes of address, deletions, contributions, questions, Park and Jerry Sharko’s in Lisle. George (RIGHT) and his brother Jerry at the original restaurant, about 1958 or comments, please write or call our Today, George’s nephew Brian editorial office, or e-mail the changes to us. Contents may be printed in operates Sharko’s BBQ in Products door-to-door and George had cleaned and killed their entirety with proper credit given. Naperville. through home demonstrations. chickens and delivered meat to Catholic Charities is an equal opportunity employer. George is the third oldest The product line included customers driving his father’s Copyright 2017 by Catholic Charities of six children of Lithuanian spices, cosmetics, salves, 1932 Studebaker – at the age of of the Archdiocese of Chicago. descent. His oldest sister, appliances and more. The 12! ADVERTISING POLICY the late Sr. Maurita was with brothers experienced great George had also worked Advertisements appearing in the the order of the Sisters of St. success and decided to cleaning a neighborhood Keenager News cannot be construed as being an endorsement by Casimir. His remaining siblings open their own private label saloon and caddying at Cog Keenager News or its members. are now 80 and older. His business, Sharko Products. Hill, often carrying double Advertisers and their agencies assume liability for all of the content brother Gregory still runs a The cosmetic line, Mary Jean bags. His years of hard work, of advertisements printed and are Cosmetics, was named after determination, and belief to responsible for any claims that may catering business in Phoenix, arise from their advertising. Keenager Arizona. George was married both their wives! In order to “smile, think positive and News reserves the right to reject any advertisements for 59 years to the late Virginia fill spices and house inventory, keep at it” from all his work it deems objectionable. Szpajer. They met at a St. the family bought a building in experience made it a great way CATHOLIC CHARITIES MISSION Patrick’s Day dance at Loyola the Midway Airport/Clearing to transition to the restaurant Catholic Charities fulfills the University in 1948 after one of neighborhood in the southwest business. “We didn’t know Church’s role in the mission of charity to anyone in need by providing his professor’s urged him to side of Chicago. Jerry and a thing about the restaurant compassionate, competent and talk to her! They married on George often went out for business but we thought we’d professional services that strengthen and support individuals, families February 11, 1950 and had five lunch and noticed that the give it a try!” he explains in the and communities based on children, 17 grandchildren and few restaurants in the area YouTube video Business Shark, the value and dignity of human life. 3 great grandchildren. “They were always very crowded. created by his granddaughter were truly an example of the They realized this was an Kristy Corcoran Wagner. His sacrament and Catholic values opportunity for them: instead mother agreed to help by of marriage for the rest of us,” of going out to customers, cooking in the kitchen and his daughter, Debbie Corcoran customers could come to hostessing. George began as testifies. them and the idea of opening a the bartender and went out YOUR COMMENTS Serving in the Navy during restaurant took hold! Their only to area businesses to invite ARE APPRECIATED WWII, George was discharged prior experience with food was people in, utilizing his great E-mail us at in July 1946. George joined his with their father’s butcher shop [email protected] brother Jerry selling Watkins in the Marquette Park area. continued on PAGE 12 www.keenagernews.org THE VOICE OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES June 2017 3 Transforming Chicago Youths’ Summers For many of us, summer is in fun, physical activities that a blessing. With kids out of promote healthy eating and school, we relish the slower The Voice of a healthy lifestyle. Catholic pace of life and take pleasure Charities also operates mobile in more outdoor activities. food trucks that travel directly But for families living in Catholic Charities to playlots and apartment troubled neighborhoods, complexes, reaching the most the start of summer can be Rev. Monsignor Michael M. Boland at-risk children who may not very worrisome. Parents Administrator, President, and CEO otherwise be connected to fear increasing violence and of Catholic Charities community programs. struggle to keep their children During the summer months, safe and engaged in activities Catholic Charities goal is to that can have a positive impact bring out the tremendous on their futures. Humboldt Park and other health, nutrition, employment strength and resilience Cardinal Cupich is neighborhoods on the north and social services to the west of young people living in spearheading the Archdiocese’s side of the city, Catholic side. communities plagued by gangs efforts to restore peace and Charities will continue our and violence. By showing bring hope to these partnership with the Chicago Catholic Charities opens youth how education leads neighborhoods. Catholic Housing Authority (CHA) in the to meaningful employment, Charities is pleased to be a part Family Works program, helping doors of possibility that providing youth with positive of his anti-violence initiatives, unemployed youth living in they may not have seen role models, feeding their and this summer we are public housing. As many as bodies with nutritious food redoubling our efforts to 200 youths aged 16-24 and before. There is a path and their minds with healthy provide safe alternatives to their families are provided with of success ahead for all alternatives, and giving them young people living in some case management services, job a safe space to develop hopes of the most violent areas of readiness training, mentoring, our young people... and dreams for the future, the city. Each day our staff and employment through One Catholic Charities opens doors encounters so many wonderful Summer Chicago. In the Back of the Yards/New of possibility that they may not kids in these communities, In the Austin neighborhood, City neighborhood, Catholic have seen before. There is a and we are truly blessed to Catholic Charities Peace Corner Charities was recently awarded path of success ahead for all help them capitalize on their Youth Center is a safe-haven a grant to provide a mentoring our young people – Catholic strengths.