Good food, great company and a reason to get together! The Union County Board of County Commissioners is excited to announce the return of Social 60+, the County’s restaurant voucher program for residents age 60 and older. Returning for a special holiday edition through the end of 2026, the program offers older adults an opportunity to enjoy nutritious meals, catch up with friends and make new connections at local restaurants.
Offered through the Department of Human Services’ Division on Aging, Social 60+ brings people together around the table while supporting restaurants in the Union County community. Whether reconnecting with an old friend or making plans with someone new, participants can enjoy a meal and conversation as the holiday season approaches.
“The holidays are a time to connect with others, but for some older adults, those opportunities aren’t always easy to come by,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Joseph C. Bodek. “Bringing back Social 60+ gives our seniors another reason to get out, share a nutritious meal and enjoy good company while supporting our local restaurants. We’re pleased to offer this holiday edition and encourage residents to take advantage of the opportunity to spend time with friends and make new connections.”
Eligible participants will receive three restaurant vouchers for the calendar year, which may be used for meals from designated Social 60+ menus at the following participating restaurants:
- Garden Restaurant, 943 Magie Avenue, Union. Program hours: Tuesday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. For reservations, call 908-558-0101.
- Mambo Cuban Restaurant, 2185 US-22 West, Union. Program hours: Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For reservations, call 908-396-6401.
- Tequila Bistro, 824 Pearl Street, Elizabeth. Program hours: Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For reservations, call 908-965-1002.
Reservations are required at all participating restaurants, and gratuity is included for the voucher-covered meal. All vouchers must be used by December 31, 2026. Expired vouchers will not be accepted, and lost vouchers cannot be replaced.
To participate, residents must be age 60 or older, live in Union County, provide all required information during intake and agree to attend a nutrition education program offered by the Division on Aging at least once per quarter. Applications are completed by phone, and availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Participants may bring friends or family members to join them. Vouchers are issued to individual participants and cannot be shared; guests who are not enrolled in the program must pay for their own meals. Meals must be enjoyed at the restaurant, and participants must present identification matching the name on their voucher. Coffee, tea and water are included; other beverages and items outside the designated program menu are not covered.
Voluntary donations are welcome to help support additional meals for seniors. The suggested donation is $3 per voucher, and a donation envelope will be included with the vouchers.
To apply or learn more, call the Union County Division on Aging at 908-527-4870 or toll-free at 888-280-8226. Additional program information is available at https://ucnj.org/dhs/social-60/.