These Hmong may not be "ethnic" Laotian but they could get to enjoy Lao dishes

[theking]

... when it's being served at the new center  :

Hmong American Center holds open house for new meal site

The Hmong American Center located on 6th Street Wausau held a ribbon cutting for its new meal site through a collaboration with the Aging and Disabilities Resource Center.

"It took a lot of hours to work through the small and large details, and today it has all come together and there is reason to celebrate," said Jonette Arm, the executive director for the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin.

For many years, Hmong elders lacked access to ethnic foods. ADRC representative s say the meal site will help in many ways. 

"So what does this mean… are you asking? The ADRC and the Hmong American Center here at this place will provide good nutrition to older adults 60 and plus, 60 and older," said Ronda James, nutrition program director for the ADRC.

Hmong American Center leaders agree, expressing excitement for the program start next year.

Yee Leng Xiong remarked, "Because of this wonderful partnership between the Hmong American Center and the ADRC, we will be able to provide nutritious meal to our elders once a week beginning 2022."

Xiong said the project took a lot of collaboration and cooperation to come together.

"This was the easiest collaboration I've ever seen in my life. I know I talked to Jonette and within five minutes she was all on supportive of it. It wasn't just her but her amazing team," said Xiong.

Legislators Jerry Petrowski and Patrick Snyder were also in attendance. Snyder expressed his appreciation for the meal site. "I'm so appreciative of something like this. It just kind of comes to fruition now that our elders are coming up to that age where, you know, we think about retirement and whatnot that something like this is needed."