Sister Bay, Wisc. – Soggy vegetables are no longer on the menu at Good Samaritan – Scandia Village, thanks to donors. The Society was able to replace two food steamers through charitable gifts.
Scott Smith, director of food and nutrition, knows how important good food is, especially with the increase in the number of people he is feeding these days.
Smith’s team is in charge of meals for the entire campus, which includes a skilled nursing center, assisted living, apartments and a Meals on Wheels program. Timing is everything. When a piece of equipment doesn’t work, it throws Smith’s carefully timed meal prep into chaos.
Smith explained that the steamers, which are the size of refrigerators, are used for anything that requires “moist heat” — polish sausages and sauerkraut, hot dogs, pot roast with carrots and onions, spaghetti, rice, and, of course, vegetables.
The location’s two steamers were 12 years old. At least twice per month, they were out of commission. Replacing just one costs $25,000 to $35,000.
Which is why the donors’ charitable support is so critical, said Michele Notz, administrator.
“Getting the meals out on time was a huge issue,” Notz said. “Using donor dollars made life easier for our residents. Donors made it happen.”
“We are very lucky to have donors who will help us with things like this,” Smith said.
You can support resident well-being projects like this at Good Samaritan – Scandia Village or any Society location by giving online.
