More Than a Meal: How REAL Services Connects Seniors to Health and Community

For many older adults, a daily meal is about more than nutrition, it’s a connection to community, health, and independence. REAL Services has built its approach around that idea, pioneering the nation’s first congregate meal program from its South Bend headquarters. This approach uses nutrition as a gateway to connection, helping reduce isolation while supporting dignity and independence. That early work helped shape what would later become the national model under the Older Americans Act, and today the organization continues to provide a vital safety net that helps seniors remain active and engaged in their communities.

“One of the key, and very unique, elements of the Older Americans Act is that we cannot, for any of the programs, take income into consideration,” said KJ Mapes, president and CEO of REAL Services. “The Act is grounded in dignity, ensuring that everyone can participate in services in a way that respects their independence. While individuals are offered the opportunity to contribute, no one is ever denied services if they are unable to do so.”

REAL Services launched in the late 1960s to support South Bend workers after the Studebaker plant closure. This effort led to a historic milestone in 1968 when the organization opened the first congregate meal site in the United States at First United Methodist Church. This approach coupled nutrition with social connection and became the successful blueprint codified into federal law. Today, the agency continues to set the standard for senior nutrition programs across the country.

“The Older Americans Act was built around the idea of taking the best practices that occur throughout the United States and codifying them into the Older Americans Act under the various titles that were created,” Mapes said. “This is how Les Fox, our foundational leader, could have those conversations. It’s still kind of a mystery how a little program in South Bend became the national model. But we are proud of that legacy.”

REAL Services uses a food-is-the-connector philosophy to support seniors’ health through social and physical support. More than a meal, the program provides daily connection that helps reduce loneliness, alongside chef-designed meals that support essential nutrition for individuals living alone or experiencing health challenges. Site managers also conduct daily wellness checks by monitoring attendance and initiating emergency calls if a guest fails to show up.

“We connect over food. Celebrations, birthdays, holidays — it’s food-centric,” said Crystal Hallwood, director of transportation and nutrition at REAL Services. “Being able to come together with our friends and neighbors creates a place in the community. We tend to eat better when we’re in the company of others.”

The nonprofit operates 29 nutrition sites across five counties and reaches more than 2,500 people annually. Local staff and volunteers serve nearly 1,000 daily meals through congregate sites and Meals on Wheels. These sites offer activities ranging from casual games to structured programming to keep seniors engaged. For those who are homebound or prefer to remain at home, the companion program, Meals on Wheels, extends that same level of care and connection beyond the site through daily check-ins and meal delivery by dedicated volunteers.

“Volunteering gives people a sense of purpose and a sense of direction,” Hallwood said. “Statistics even show that volunteers live longer because it creates that personal opportunity to stay connected. We want to be as inclusive as possible, feeding as many people as humanly possible. People are happier being at home on a daily basis, and we are here to support that.”

The nutrition programs provide universal access for anyone 60 or older, regardless of income level. Traditional income verification is avoided to ensure that services remain accessible to all seniors in the community. This donation-based model allows participants to contribute what they can and helps maintain their personal dignity and independence. Every dollar donated goes directly back into the program to expand services and reach more seniors in need.

“We are seeing the costs of everything go up — food, gas, labor,” Hallwood said. “When you’re trying to provide a high-quality, chef-designed meal on a budget set years ago, it creates tremendous pressure. We have to be more creative than ever to ensure that the quality of the food on the plate doesn’t suffer because of the economy and stagnant funding.”

REAL Services uses nutrition as a bridge to better health, helping reduce the need for more intensive and costly medical care, such as hospital stays. As demand continues to grow, the nonprofit is working to navigate rising costs while continuing to recruit and retain volunteers, which has become more challenging since the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the next decade, REAL Services is focused on sustaining its community-based model across the five counties it serves, meeting the needs of a growing senior population while ensuring the continued delivery of Meals on Wheels. The organization also remains committed to ongoing advocacy, helping elevate awareness of the program’s impact and the critical role it plays in supporting older adults. This approach combines engagement, physical activity, and social connection to support seniors in maintaining their independence at home.

Congregate meals go beyond nutrition,” Mapes said. “The meal is important, but it’s the connection that keeps people coming back, the conversations, the friendships, and the opportunity to stay engaged in their community. And for those receiving Meals on Wheels, that same connection is delivered right to the door through a daily visit that brings both nourishment and a friendly check-in.

Community support is vital to maintaining these independent living services for seniors across the region. Learn more about these programs or how to volunteer visit REAL Services website at opportunities at https://realservices.org/get-involved/volunteer/ or call them at 574-232-8205.