Randy Copeland picked up a cheeseburger and French fries to go Monday at Philip Billard Municipal Airport's SKY Restaurant.

Copeland was taking advantage of a program that offers one free meal a day to people 60 and older, regardless of income level.

Participants in that program — known as "CHAMPSS" and made available by Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging — are asked to make a $3.50 donation to that organization for each meal.

That was a small price to pay for the food Copeland was getting, he said.

"It's a bargain, and it's really good," he said.

Here's who may take part in CHAMPSS

SKY Restaurant since it opened last July has been part of CHAMPSS, which stands for "Choosing Healthy Appetizing Meal Plan Solutions for Seniors."

CHAMPSS has about 3,000 participants and has been offered since 2011 by Topeka-based JAAA, said Lucky Hoang, the program's manager.

CHAMPSS enables those who are 60 or older and have a CHAMPSS card to enjoy one free meal a day from any participating location in Shawnee, Jefferson or Douglas counties.

The program is also open to spouses younger than 60 of a person 60 or older, and disabled people living with someone 60 or older, said a flyer posted on the CHAMPSS website.

What are participating locations?

The CHAMPSS website identifies participating locations as follows.

No one is denied a meal if he or she is unable to make the requested $3.50 donation, the CHAMPSS website says.

CHAMPSS is looking for new locations at which to offer its program, said Hoang, who can be reached at 785-235-1367.

How can people register for CHAMPSS?

Those who wish to enroll must complete a registration packet and watch an 18-minute orientation video, which can be viewed on the program's website .

CHAMPSS is not for everybody, Hoang acknowledged.

For example, she said, the meals the program offers can't be tailored to people who are diabetic or lactose-intolerant.

Homebound people are not eligible, as participation is open only to those who can go to a CHAMPSS location to eat or to pick up their food, the CHAMPSS website says.

Participation is not open to adults who are enrolled in an Older Americans Act Title III-C home-delivered meal program, it adds.

Program seeks to encourage seniors to interact

CHAMPSS is aimed at encouraging senior citizens to get out into the community and interact with others, Hoang said.

Research suggests that senior citizens who socialize live longer than those who don't, she said.

Crystal Campbell, co-owner of SKY Restaurant, said its employees have enjoyed building relationships with the people the program has attracted to their business.

"We get to know all of them," she said. "Some of them come in here every day. A lot of them come in several times a week."

How is CHAMPSS financed?

"JAAA partners with local businesses to offer older adults a dining alternative to congregate meal sites, seven days a week," says the flyer posted on the CHAMPSS website. "CHAMPSS meals are dietitian-certified and follow Kansas Department of Aging & Disability Services Nutritional Guidelines."

Meals are valued at between $6 and $7, the flyer said.

It said those costs are covered partially through member donations and partially through funding from the Older Americans Act, through the U.S. Health & Human Services Administration on Aging; the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services; the State of Kansas; and local units of government.

Federal guidelines include health requirements

Federal guidelines impose nutritional restrictions on the meals CHAMPSS provides, Hoang said.

For example, CHAMPSS participants may not order fried chicken as part of their meals from Dillons or Hy-Vee, she said.

SKY Restaurant isn't required to follow any restrictions regarding the food it provides through CHAMPSS, Campbell said.

"Customers can order anything off the menu or they can go through the buffet," she said.

Restaurant seeing increasing number of CHAMPSS customers

The number of CHAMPPS meals SKY Restaurant serves has increased steadily each month, reaching 363 for February, Campbell said.

CHAMPPS participants don't personally pay SKY Restaurant unless they order beverages, side dishes or toppings that aren't covered by the program, she said.

Instead, the restaurant later receives a payment from JAAA, Campbell said.

The Capital - Journal’s Evert Nelson contributed to this report .

Contact Tim Hrenchir at [email protected] or 785-213-5934.