Somerset County Freeholder Robert Zaborowski, human services liaison, would like the public to know that county-operated senior centers are asking for food service volunteer assistance. Help is needed with packing food for Meals on Wheels programs and with portioning food in dining rooms at some centers.

To volunteer, please contact the appropriate senior center and specify which day(s) and times are best for you.

All kitchen volunteers will receive food sanitation training and will be asked to follow stringent health code regulations and dress codes for sanitation, including the need for flat, closed-toe shoes and unpolished, natural fingernails. Hair nets and latex gloves may be required. Jewelry is restricted except for plain wedding bands and medical alert necklaces.

The Somerset County Senior Wellness Center, Bernards location at 202 Mt. Airy Road, seeks food service volunteers to help pack meals for its Meals on Wheels program between 9 and 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. In addition, the center seeks volunteers who can help portion meals for guests in the dining room between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. Contact the Senior Wellness Center at (908) 204-3435 for more information or to sign up for specific day(s) and times.

The Hillsborough Senior Center, located at 339 South Branch Road in Hillsborough, needs food service volunteer assistance on Fridays, between 9 and 11 a.m., to pack meals for the homebound elderly. Contact the senior center at (908) 369-8700 for more information.

Manville Senior Center needs help packing food for its Meals on Wheels program on Fridays between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.

Quail Brook Senior Center, located at 625 New Brunswick Rd. in Franklin, needs help packing food for Meals on Wheels between 9 and 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  Contact the senior center at (732) 563-4213 for more information.

The Raritan Senior Center, located at 614 First Avenue in Raritan, seeks volunteer assistance with packing meals for its Meals on Wheels program between 8 and 10:30 a.m. on weekdays. Contact the senior center at (908) 203-0001 to let them know which day(s) you are available to help.  

Warrenbrook Senior Center, located on the golf course at 500 Warrenville Road, seeks volunteer assistance with packing meals for its Meals on Wheels program on Wednesdays between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. On-call volunteers who can be available between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. on one or more days during the week are also needed.   For more information, contact the Warrenbrook Senior Center at (908) 753-9440.

Somerset County senior centers offer a wide range of experiences designed for lifelong enrichment in a social and uplifting atmosphere, intended to positively impact overall health. Choices of four lunch menus (with and without meat) are served daily at centers, which are funded in part through the Older Americans Act and the county Board of Chosen Freeholders. Many of the programs and activities are made possible through partnerships, volunteers and the generosity of donors who pay instructor and presentation fees.