![Luncheon Oct. 2019. OT presenting.jpg](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/MNMDH/2020/01/3105726/2950261/luncheon-oct-2019-ot-presenting_crop.jpg) Connecting over a community meal in St. Peter
A focus group with Somali residents in St. Peter in 2016 identified several barriers to achieving wellness, including lack of socialization and community involvement opportunities, among other challenges.
A cultural meal program emerged as a solution. Twice a month, the East African Elder Community Meal Program in St. Peter is now providing a space for residents from St. Peter, Mankato, North Mankato and Faribault to come enjoy a healthy halal meal and engage in planned socialization and educational activities.
While specific outreach focuses on East African elders, there was intentional planning to ensure that this initiative was open to the entire community to embrace cross-cultural sharing and community collaborations.
Through music, health information, storytelling, physical activity and public service demonstrations this effort is helping to decrease social isolation, broaden community connections and improve health.
The first meal was held on Oct. 10 with more than 20 participants. Since then, it has attracted even more participants; they have had 5 meals and served 86 people. There was also coverage by news media, including the Star Tribune.
The planning committee is co-led by the Horn of Africa Aid Rehabilitation Action Network and Brown, Nicollet, Le Sueur, Waseca SHIP with several other engaged community partners including Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging, City of St. Peter, Lutheran Social Services and the St. Peter Food Co-op. The initiative received funding through the State Physical Activity and Nutrition Grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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