The Reformed Church of Shawangunk hosted its monthly senior breakfast last Wednesday, November 8 in its community center, where seniors enjoyed warm food, chatted with old friends, won raffle prizes and received resources from Ulster County Office of the Aging.

The church previously held senior luncheons during the 1990s, but these subsided after the previous pastor left. Starting in June of 2023, the church began hosting breakfasts for seniors on the second Wednesday of every month, bringing both its members and nonmembers together to enjoy some morning cooking and company.

“These are ways we’re reaching out to the communities in Shawankgunk, Wallkill, and even Pine Bush…this is for seniors who need connection, a free hot meal and friendship,” said Cathy Bruce, the church’s pastor.

At 8:45 a.m., the church’s volunteers and members of its Hospitality Guild served a variety of food to its hungry seniors, including egg sandwiches, savory meats, cheesy hash browns, palatable pastries and more. Everyone was happily eating and enjoying their time with one another.

“It’s wonderful, it’s so nice to see everyone,” said Cheryl McNeil Fisher, a Wallkill resident. Fisher is a co-host on Writing Works Wonders and a local author who’s educated people across the country about blindness.

“We’ve been talking to people who we haven’t talked to in years. The food is excellent,” said Rich Fisher, a Wallkill resident and Cheryl’s husband.

“Pastor Cathy is working wonders. The food is excellent and it’s lovely seeing everyone,” said Richard, a Gardiner resident.

Additionally, this month’s breakfast was sponsored by Beck’s Hardware from Pine Bush, which funded both the food and raffles.

“Our sponsors are great, and Beck’s really went out of their way,” said Katrina Stoker, the church’s chairperson.

The breakfast also featured guest speaker Susan Koppenhaven, director of Ulster County Office of Aging, who provided tools and resources from her office to help seniors maintain their well-being.

“The office for aging serves folks who are 60 and over or people who are disabled, with information or referrals. Offices like ours have been around since the 70s when they created the Older Americans Act…we’re able to help folks who are not qualified by Medicaid and help you with things that you might need, and we have quite an array of services,” Koppenhaven said, offering the office’s newsletter and several brochures.

Interested in the church’s community events? The next senior breakfast will be held on December 13; all seniors are welcome and allowed to eat for free, though you can donate a “love offering” of your own amount. The church is also seeking more volunteers to help with cooking.

Some other upcoming events that the church and its Hospitality Guild are organizing include their Thanksgiving Eve dinner on November 22 at 6:45 p.m., their Grief & Share workshop on December 2 from 1 to 3 p.m., and their iconic Cookie Walk bakesale on December 9 from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

For more information on the resources that Koppenhaven shared, visit the office’s webpage at ulstercountyny.gov/aging or call (845) 340-3456.