Gerry Cushing and John Schintgen have Catholic Charities’ senior community meals to thank for bringing them together as a couple. They’ve been engaged for seven years, and although they don’t plan to marry, they are committed to one another and to Catholic Charities, where they have served as volunteers for more than nine years.

“It keeps us active,” says Gerry, 83, of volunteering for Catholic Charities. “You meet new friends, that’s what I like about it. It’s always something new.”

Every month at senior community meals in Lake County, the couple greets more than 150 guests as they arrive for the luncheon, collecting the suggested $7 donation.

“Some guests say, ‘I don’t have it,’ or ‘Sorry, I forgot it,’ and we say, ‘Don’t worry about it, enjoy your meal. That’s what we’re here for. If you can give more next time, do it,” Gerry says. “We want them to come in and enjoy.”

John, 87, has been coming to senior community meals for 20 years. “I enjoy the people, and it’s important to keep yourself going and busy,” he says.

Lake County Senior Community Meals 

Mondays, 11 a.m., Island Lake Cafe, 310 E. State Road, Island Lake; and 12:00 p.m. bi-weekly at the Patricia A. Jones Center, 414 S. Lewis Ave., Waukegan 
Tuesdays, 12:00 p.m. bi-weekly Foss Park District, 1730 Lewis Ave., North Chicago 
Wednesdays, 11:45 a.m., Hanul Family Alliance, 2900 N. Main St., Buffalo Grove 
Thursdays, 12:00 p.m. Schreiber Center, 101 N. Cedar Lake Road, Round Lake 
Monthly, Maravela’s Banquet Hall & Catering, 4 Washington St., Fox Lake 
Monthly, Lamb’s Farm, 14245 W. Rockland Road, Libertyville 
For more information and to make reservations, call (847) 782-4170.