Congregate meals programs improve the lives of those elderly persons who need the most assistance. This study indicated low scores on nutrition knowledge for persons of the working and lower classes, those who eat alone, and those with low food intake away from the center. The same persons also shopped either daily or monthly, neither of which are efficient ways to buy food for economy and freshness. The noon meal at the center helped to provide a balanced diet, a chance to meet new friends, and a sense of well-being.