While local senior citizens may not be able to gather together for a midday meal due to the coronavirus, box lunches are available for pickup or delivery.

The Stanislaus County Area Agency on Aging is offering weekly frozen meal boxes to senior citizens throughout the county. Each of the Traditions brand frozen meal boxes includes five entrees with vegetables, fruit juice or cup, sliced wheat bread and a dessert.

Reservations are required at least one day prior to wanting a box to ensure an adequate number of meals will be available. A voluntary contribution of $3 per meal is requested. Any amount helps fund more meals and no eligible person will be denied meals due to inability to contribute.

There are senior box meal distribution sites across the county including at the Donnelly Park parking lot in Turlock from 11 a.m. to noon on Fridays starting Sept. 11 and at the Hughson Senior Center, 2307 4th St., on Wednesdays.

Along with the frozen meal boxes, fresh lunches will be available for daily pickup Monday through Friday at the Turlock Salvation Army, 893 Lander Ave.

Home delivery of the frozen meal boxes is available for eligible homebound seniors. Priority for home delivery goes to frail, live alone seniors who are unable to drive or leave their home regularly.

To reserve a senior meal box or a daily fresh lunch, call 558-8698. This program is funded through December.