enough to accommodate at least 100 people at a time. And I'd say there are several hundred in the lower end of the beach and that one particular community center, and when they develop another community center in the north end of the beach, there will possibly be more and there will be several thousand people on the beach that I know will take advantage of a good meal a day.

Mr. HANSEN. Would it take as many as 100 in order to make it— in order to justify the

Mr. GILMAN. Oh, yes.

Mr. HANSEN. Could you do it for less or more?

Mr. GILMAN. I'd say more. More.

Mr. HANSEN. What I'm trying to determine is the adaptability of this center concept to areas that have the lower percentage of elderly people than you do here if, based on the observation made by Mr. McLoud, the center might practically serve an area of about 2-miles radius. Then, from what you're saying, that area would have to have about 100 people in it who could take advantage of the services of the center in order to make the establishment of the center feasible; is that substantially correct?

Mr. GILMAN. That's correct. You see, the beach is only a mile and a quarter wide and 14 miles long, and when you put a community center at the lower end of the beach you get it within a radius of 10 blocks there, and it's thickly settled and densely settled with a lot of, unfortunately, old people that come down are either retired and they'll all take advantage of that particular center.

Mr. HANSEN. Thank you very much for a very fine statement.
Mr. GILMAN. You're welcome.

Mr. BRADEMAS. Mr. Gilman, I want to add my own thanks as well. I would like to observe that it seems to be quite striking, in a part of the United States and in a community that is regarded not only in this country but throughout the world as one of the more affluent cities in America, that you should have the kinds of problems that you've described in seeing to it that older citizens can be assured of nutritionally balanced nourishing meals and this ought to make all the more obvious the depth of this kind of a problem in some of our poorer sections of the United States. In other words, if you have this kind of trouble providing hot meals for older citizens in a rich community like Miami

Mr. GILMAN. Beach.

Mr. BRADEMAS (continuing). Miami Beach, how difficult must that problem be in some of the slum areas of our country and in some of the poor rural areas of our country. I only make this observation to dramatize what seems to me to be the obvious importance of a bill like this one.

Thank you very much, Mr. Gilman.

Mr. GILMAN. Thank you very much, sir.

Mr. BRADEMAS. The Chair wants to observe for the benefit of our guests here today, who we're very pleased to have with us, that we propose the following kind of schedule throughout the rest of the day. Next, we are scheduled to have a panel discussion with some persons from the Metropolitan Senior Center in administrative positions and, then, a second panel composed of some senior citizens themselves. Then, probably after lunch, we shall hear from three other witnesses who

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have positions of responsibility in the Miami area in the field that we're considering.

Our next witnesses, then, are Mrs. Helen McGill, food service supervisor of the low-cost meal program of Senior Center of Dade County, Inc., and Mr. Irving Simson, comptroller of Senior Center of Dade County, Inc. And if both Mrs. McGill and Mr. Simson will come forward, we'll be pleased to hear from both of them at this time. The Chair would like to suggest that perhaps what they could do is each go ahead and give his statement, then, we'll put questions to both of you. Mrs. McGill, would you like to begin?

STATEMENT OF MRS. HELEN MCGILL, FOOD SERVICE SUPERVISOR OF THE LOW-COST MEAL PROGRAM, SENIOR CENTERS OF DADE COUNTY, INC.

Mrs. MCGILL. Yes, I will.

Mr. BRADEMAS. Pleased to have you with us.

Mrs. MCGILL. Senior Centers of Dade County have been serving the elderly a low-cost nutritious meal for 6 years and so we know how beneficial it is. We know we keep our elderly out of nursing homes and we know we keep them mobile and able to meet their friends in our centers in a social setting over a well-balanced meal once a day.

As the supervisor of the low-cost meal project of senior centers, I plan the menus, keeping in mind that their noon meal may be their only meal of the day and must supply the minimum daily requirements for that day; 4 ounces of protein, three-quarters of a cup of starch and one-half cup of green or yellow vegetables, salad, and dessert, making sure that the needed vitamin contents are included. We prepare 500 meals daily. Last month we served 7,784 meals of which 250 were delivered to persons who are homebound. We satellite from our commissary kitchen to six locations all located in low-cost public housing for the elderly. The food, after being prepared in the commissary kitchen, is put into steam table pans, loaded into special hot food carriers. The carriers are loaded onto a truck specially equipped with a lift. At the satellite locations, these steam table pans are then transferred to steam tables in the centers. Each location has a serving kichen and a dining room.

The satellite manager handles the setting up of the dining room, dishes up the salads, the desserts, and serves from the steam tables, also cleaning up after service. She is assisted by two or three member volunteers and these volunteers are our own aged people who are members of the center. The truck leaves the main kitchen at 10 a.m. and returns at 2 p.m. bringing the empty food carriers and the pans ready for the next day.

Most centers use paper service and stainless steel tableware. The tables are made attractive. With paper cloths, or place mats, and flowers and greenery are used when available. We try hard not to make the food service or the services institutional in any way. We want to do everything possible to make their eating experience a pleasant

one.

Senior centers serves only the members who live either in low-cost public housing or in the nearby community. We feel that loneliness and

improper diets are not limited to the poor only, but to all elderly who find the golden years slightly tarnished.

Mr. BRADEMAS. Thank you very much. [Applause.]

Mr. Simson.

STATEMENT OF IRVING SIMSON, CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT, SENIOR CENTERS OF DADE COUNTY, INC.

Mr. SIMSON. Mr. Brademas, Mr. Hansen, ladies and gentlemen, first, I wish to point out an error in the witness list regarding my association. I am Irving Simson, certified public accountant, employed by Senior Centers of Dade County in that capacity. Formerly, for 3 years, I did perform as comptroller of Senior Centers of Dade County.

My purpose in appearing before you is not to discuss the merits and values of the low-cost meal program of Senior Centers in Dade County, Inc. This is better evaluated and appraised by other individuals who will testify and have testified before you. I would only present to you the financial history and present financial status of this program.

The first support for the low-cost meal program occurred in September 1966, when the Federal Government approved the low-cost meal demonstration program for a 3-year period from September 1, 1966 through August 31, 1969. During this time, senior centers received the sum of $268,325.

The low-cost meal program of Senior Centers of Dade County has been conducted in the following manner: The price charged to the elderly has been for the cost of food alone. In September 1966 at the start of the program, it was estimated that food costs would be 40 cents per meal served, and so this became the amount originally charged. During the first year of operation, the cost of food was actually in excess of this amount, but the deficit was absorbed by funds received from the United Fund. In the second year of the project as food prices continued upward, we had to increase each meal to 50 cents in order to maintain the quality and quantity of the food. From 1967 to 1968, the average cost per meal served was 47 cents, but by late 1968 and 1969 it rose to 51 cents. Since the early part of 1970, our food cost per meal has risen to 54 cents. However, we have still maintained the 50-cent price for each meal as it was believed that this price line should be held in view of many other increased living costs that our members had.

The costs of preparing the food and food handling has been supported by the Federal Government from September 1, 1966 through August 31, 1969. This cost represented the approximate amount of 83 cents per meal served. So, from a total cost of $1.33, the Federal subsidy of 83 cents allowed the members of senior centers to receive these nutritious meals at a price of 50 cents. In addition, it also gave part-time employment to 47 senior members of our community as well as the five full-time employees of supervisor, two cooks and a kitchen helper.

The cessation of funding by the Federal Government on August 31, 1969 and the failure of metropolitan Dade County or any other local agency to pick up the void caused by this cessation, momentarily halted the low-cost meal program. The action taken by Mr. Richard

Whitcomb in his channel 7 nightly news report alerted many concerned citizens to take prompt action themselves and donate private moneys to keep this program alive. The vanguard of this was the Police Athletic League with a single large donation of $6,500 and, then, the "Dollars for Gratitude" campaign of the Cuban refugees. The total raised from November 1969 to date has been approximately $25,000.

Knowing that this small amount of subsidy would not be sufficient to continue the low cost meal program on the same level as when subsidized by the Federal Government, a decision was made to cancel the wages paid to the 47 senior citizens who were employed as dining room aides, cashiers and counter workers and, therefore, some of these volunteered their services until such time as a sufficient subsidy could be obtained.

During the period of time that private citizens had donated moneys to keep the low-cost meal program going, an application had been made to the Florida Bureau of Aging to fund this program under title III of the Older Americans Act. On a modified basis, using the volunteer concept, thereby keeping the cost down, the sum of $47,123 was requested for the fiscal year July 1, 1970, to June 30, 1971, the first year of a 3-year program. The necessary local support of $15,708commonly known as grantee support-has been asked of metropolitan Dade County. This grantee support is still under consideration from them.

On June 19, 1970, Senior Centers of Dade County was advised that the U.S. Administration on Aging will fund the project until December 31, 1970 in the amount of $22.750.

This level of support represents 42 cents of subsidy costs, as compared to the 83 cents subsidy portion in the Federal demonstration project from September 1, 1966 through August 31, 1969.

In summary, at present, the low-cost meal program administered by Senior Centers of Dade County has a definite life until December 31, 1970. The short term local share of participation-6 monthsshall be accomplished, be it with or without the help of metropolitan Dade County, whose help is being withheld only because of its "tax" problems and many calls which limit available moneys. This program, although encompassing the membership of the Senior Centers of Dade County-approximately 6.500-is only reaching a small number of elderly as compared to all of Dade County. The program needs expansion to cover a much greater number of participants and locations than it already has. It has demonstrated during its original 3-year period the values set forth in H.R. 17763.

Thank you.

Mr. BRADEMAS. Thank you very much, Mr. Simson. As I listened to your fascinating recitation of some of the problems you've encountered in funding the low-cost meal program, and as I reflect on answers to my questions by earlier witnesses about the support given by the State of Florida to such programs, I am almost tempted, Congressman Pepper, to come down to Florida and announce as a candidate for Governor myself.

[Applause.]

Mr. BRADEMAS. I must say here is a splendid opportunity when I realize what a difficult problem you seemed to have had in getting ade

quate support for continuation of this essential program-this is a splendid area for the exercise, as I said, of some first-class political leadership, whether it comes from a Democrat or Republican is beside the point.

One of the concerns that we, as Members of Congress, must have, of course, is where is the money coming from to pay for such programs. And I wonder if either you, Mr. Simson, or you, Mrs. McGill, could give us some comment, if you have this kind of information, on the average income of the persons you have been serving through your low-cost meal program, and-you make a charge of only 50 cents no matter what the income of the person served, is that correct? Mrs. MCGILL. That's right.

Mr. SIMSON. That is right. The measure of poverty of the individual having the meal is not asked or judged. The Senior Centers of Dade County has an open membership of any person 60 years of age or over and no inquiry is made at that time as to their financial responsibility. And we do not, therefore, maintain such records as to their financial responsibility.

I wish to point out that we are also funded by the National Council of Senior Citizens which administers funds from the U.S. Department of Labor for the purpose of giving employment to the elderly. And one of the guidelines in connection with such employment is the poverty guidelines laid out by them. Originally, this was $1,600 for a single person and $2,000 for a married person in order for them to secure employment.

Mr. BRADEMAS. The Chair will call on Mr. Pepper for any questions he might like to put to the witnesses.

Mr. PEPPER. How many people participated in the low-cost meal program conducted through senior centers? I know you mentioned the figure in your statement but I'd like it stated again.

Mrs. MCGILL. We serve 500 a day. At the time that we shut down because of lack of funds we were serving a little over 600. We now are serving 500 and as I quoted, we served 7,784 last month.

Mr. PEPPER. 7,784?

Mrs. MCGILL. Last month.

Mr. SIMSON. She refers to meals, not people.

Mr. MCGILL. Meals served in six locations last month.

Mr. PEPPER. Now, how many senior citizens in Dade County do you estimate would take advantage of this program if the kind of a program contemplated by this bill were in effect?

Mrs. MCGILL. Well, I wouldn't hazard a count. I haven't any idea, but I know we're only reaching such a small percentage of them that it would be startling, I'm sure.

Mr. PEPPER. Do you feel that you could now and under the previous demonstration program reach only a small percentage of those who are eligible and would take advantage of a program such as is contemplated under this bill?

Mrs. MCGILL. That's right.

Mr. PEPPER. Thank you very much.

I want to comment for the record here the very fine job in this field which has been done by Mrs. McGill and Mr. Simson, and by Senior Centers of Dade County, Fla.