Mayor Joseph Hankins proudly announced the launch of a new program aimed at addressing food insecurity and social isolation among senior residents. The “Senior Bites” program, a pilot program created by Manchester Senior Services with the support of the Ocean County Office of Senior Services, officially kicked off at Heritage Restaurant in Whiting—the first participating restaurant in the township.
Mayor Hankins was joined by Manchester’s Director of Senior Services Melissa DePalma, Ocean County Senior Services Director Maria LaFace, and Nick Bokhari, owner of Heritage Restaurant. Together, they introduced the program and celebrated the collaborative efforts that made it possible. Nick was a true pleasure to work with throughout the development of Senior Bites—his compassion and commitment to ensuring no one goes hungry is truly inspiring. In addition to participating in this program, Nick regularly donates food to local churches, ensuring that excess meals are shared with those in need rather than wasted. His generosity reflects the kind of community spirit that makes programs like Senior Bites a success.
“Senior Bites shows what’s possible when local government, county agencies, and small businesses work hand in hand,” said Mayor Hankins. “This program isn’t just about providing a meal—it’s about restoring connection, supporting independence, and showing our seniors, they are valued and never forgotten.”
The Senior Bites program provides eligible Manchester seniors, aged 60 and older, with meal vouchers that can be redeemed at participating local restaurants. These vouchers allow seniors to enjoy a healthy, nutritionist-approved meal in a restaurant setting—free of charge. The initiative not only helps alleviate food insecurity but also encourages socialization and supports small, local businesses.
Melissa DePalma, who has worked closely with Maria LaFace and the Ocean County Office of Senior Services, emphasized the program’s roots in community need. “The recent Ocean County needs assessment showed that preparing meals was one of the top concerns for maintaining independence. Food insecurity ranked as the number one priority. With that knowledge, and the support of our partners, we were determined to create a solution,” said DePalma.
All funding for Senior Bites is provided through a grant from the Ocean County Board of Commissioners. For more information or to sign up for the program, residents can contact Manchester Senior Services at 732-849-8305.