12/31/2025
Take Out Tuesday: One Meal, Many Connections 🍽️
Once a month, something special happens in Assisted Living at Brethren Retirement Community—and it all starts with a simple question: Where should we eat together this month?
Take Out Tuesday is a resident-led tradition made possible by Zelda, our Assisted Living Activity Leader, and the residents she serves. Together, they choose a local restaurant, select 4–5 menu items (keeping prices reasonable), and work directly with the restaurant to finalize the order. Sometimes, our local restaurant partners even offer a small discount—just one more example of community supporting community. 💙
Zelda gathers the orders, sends them in the night before, and the next morning picks everything up hot, fresh, and ready to go. By late morning, residents are gathered around the table, sharing a meal and enjoying time together.
What began as an idea to include more people than could fit on a bus for outings has grown into one of our most-loved activities. While bus trips usually serve about 10 residents, Take Out Tuesdays regularly bring together 22–30 neighbors—including many who don’t often attend other activities.
Along the way, new friendships are formed, familiar ones grow deeper, and new residents get to know their neighbors faster. Even Care Partners sometimes join in—whether eating together or ordering food to go—creating shared moments and conversations that continue well beyond the meal.
This month marks our 12th Take Out Tuesday, and after a year of great food, growing connections, and wonderful partnerships with local restaurants, we’re already excited for what the next year will bring!
📞 Want to learn more about Take Out Tuesday?
Contact Zelda at 937-547-7688.
