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state where those deliveries weren’t curtailed.

There are many lonely and homebound seniors left to feed, Oatman said, and sometimes the visit itself is as valuable as the food they deliver, letting people know they are cared about.

“The continuation of our services remains more important than ever,” she said.

‘It’s a blessing’

Susan Baker of Reading said what’s made the pandemic

even tougher on many seniors is the activities they used to enjoy in their elderly housing complexes are now halted.

Baker lives in the Skyline View apartment building on North Ninth Street, where even the common room was closed.

“The virus has put a stomp on things, and that’s really putting a strain on people,” she said.

She has friends she used to meet with regularly in the common room but now hasn’t seen for months.

“I don’t know if some of them are alive or dead,” she said.

So getting together with others for programs at the city’s Encore center is something she counts on.

“Who wants to just talk on the phone all the time? You want to be able to see people,” she said. “I think that’s very important.”

So, too, does Helen Flowers of Reading, who appreciates that she’s been able to return to the Ninth Street center, as well as the virus mitigation protocols it has in place.

“I missed the atmosphere and the people,” she said. “I’m so glad they reopened, and we can still have fun without putting others at risk. It’s a blessing.”