Sourcewise Meals on Wheels – PSA 10

Sourcewise Meals on Wheels (MOW) provides home-delivered meals to homebound seniors who are unable to purchase food or cook meals for themselves in the Santa Clara County. This service has brought a nutritious diet to those in need. Another service that is greatly appreciated is our Ambassador Program. The Sourcewise Ambassador Program was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020 by utilizing volunteers to conduct weekly wellness calls and foster friendly, lighthearted conversation. The program aims to lessen the risk of social isolation and loneliness among homebound seniors. This has helped tremendously during the pandemic and continues to be a benefit appreciated by our clients on the program.

A longtime client, Glenn, an 88-year-old disabled war veteran, took the time to show his appreciation of the MOW service by writing a letter of thanks. He is also enrolled in our Ambassador Program, and he expresses how fortunate it is to have a program where he can have conversation with somebody regularly. He also looks forward to the meal delivery as he has become friends with his usual delivery driver. This is a great example of how simple interactions with a person can bring a sense that someone cares.

Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula – PSA 32

Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula (MOWMP) announced its menu serving seniors, disabled adults, and veterans across the Monterey Peninsula will now feature certified grass-fed beef and NO ANTIBIOTICS EVER™ (NAE) chicken.

The transition, taking place now, is part of the agency’s Health Nutrition Sponsorship campaign – which includes a partnership with the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust – and will make MOWMP one of the few nonprofits in the state to convert its beef offerings to certified grass-fed and its chicken offerings to NAE. The move ensures that MOWMP clients do not have to forgo the confidence that comes with these distinctions, nor will they have to wait years for the changes to take place. Over the past year, MOWMP and its corps of dedicated volunteers delivered 446,959 meals across the Monterey Peninsula and are providing freshly prepared meals for Meals on Wheels of the Salinas Valley’s Home Delivered Meals program. Christine Winge, MOWMP’s executive director, explains the scale and importance of the agency’s latest advancement in higher quality ingredients, "In just a few months, we have taken this initiative mainstream, moving beyond select dishes and making these healthful proteins available to the 825 clients we serve on the Peninsula." She continues, "The combination of converting our everyday offerings represents a significant transformation in nonprofit food service. We're raising the bar on the nutrition our clients can expect."

"The certified grass-fed and NAE distinctions are very important to us," said Uwe Grobecker, MOWMP’s executive chef. "These claims are transparent and easily understandable for our clients. Everyone deserves high quality nutrition and we’re proud to offer a promise they can trust." Winge concluded, "Offering these healthful proteins is more challenging from a sourcing standpoint – and more expensive – and like everything else we do, it's a process of continuous improvement and not accepting the status quo."

Dine Around Town – PSA 4

Dine Around Town (DAT) is an innovative congregate nutrition program and a direct service of Agency on Aging/Area 4. The DAT provides high-quality restaurant meals to older adults living in Yuba and Sutter Counties. In this restaurant voucher program, older adult participants (aged 60 and over) can redeem meal vouchers at five local restaurants for a healthy breakfast, lunch, or dinner during the week or a weekend. Many DAT program participants carpool or meet-up at the restaurants to socialize and sometimes even engage in matchmaking or other fun activities.

Since the pandemic, Dine Around Town program helped its small-scale partner restaurants stay in business by adding almost twice the amount of program participants and offering meals to-go, as a meal-delivery or dine-in. Our DAT restaurant partners; 2 Bits Café, Las Brasas Mexican Restaurant, Linda’s Soda Bar & Grill, 2 Bits Express and Tracey’s Diner enjoy serving older adults and often go the extra mile to accommodate their needs. Agency on Aging\Area 4 recently implemented electronic system to track and reimburse restaurants for DAT program participant’s redeemed meals.

Here is what some of our program participants have to say about Dine Around Town:

After enrolling in DAT one year ago, Yuba County Resident Cynthia has benefited tremendously from the program. Before joining the program, she lost 45 pounds because she was not eating enough. Since joining the program, she has gained her weight back, eating healthier and increasing her socialization opportunities. Cynthia stated what she likes most about the program is dining at the Mexican Restaurant, Las Brasas. "The Mexican Restaurant is off the hook, like a dream come true". She feels that she has a reason to get up in the morning now.

Three years ago, Diana new to Sutter County and at the time a recent widow, joined Dine Around Town. Since being on the program, she has met many different people on the DAT program. "If I hadn’t been on this program, I don’t know what I would’ve done". Diana likes that she can go out to a restaurant and feel young-at-heart again. "The good part is, it gets you out and moving", she stated referring to the program, "I would cry if we didn’t have the program, I would be so lost".

Meals on Wheels San Francisco – PSA 6

Willie and Mary (since photo is wide, please place it below the story) — Willie and Mary

Meals on Wheels San Francisco (MOW SF) is very fortunate to be able to get a glimpse into the lives of the people we serve -- many of whom have dedicated their professional careers to the service of others. We recently spoke with Mary, who, along with her husband Willie, receive home-delivered meals from MOW SF:

"The support for organizations like Meals on Wheels San Francisco is more important than ever because it operates right here out of our neighborhood. I never thought that I was going to need it until I did.

We’re in our 80s now. Willie has Alzheimer's, and I am in treatment for cancer. I do love to cook; I do what I can. But I can't do much shopping anymore. Meals on Wheels is an excellent fallback for us and so many people in Bayview-Hunters Point.

We now open the freezer up to all kinds of Italian, Mexican, Asian, and many different cuisines engineered to come out of the microwave just perfect. The science and the care that goes into what Meals on Wheels does just blows me away. We especially love the little touches. Meals on Wheels is just so kind about sending little gifts and added little cheerer-uppers. Everything is done with such care.

We are so grateful that Meals on Wheels gives us a hand so we can continue to speak up."

HSA – Downey Community Senior Center – PSA 19

Larry Striano was born in Los Angeles, CA. He is 70 years old and now resides in Downey, CA. Human Services Association (HSA) meals have impacted him in a positive manner because he is partially disabled due to a previous back injury which led him to retire early. He relies solely on Social Security benefits. HSA’s Congregate Meal Program has been a big help for him because he can make his donation and the meals are still affordable and nutritious. He enjoys the variety of meals provided and ease of obtaining the meals because of his disability. He is very grateful to everyone who makes this program possible.

Middletown Senior Center – PSA 26

One of our wheelchair-bound seniors, Hazel, is typical of the seniors receiving Meals on Wheels (MOW) in the rural northern California communities of Middletown, Hidden Valley Lake, and Cobb. These three small communities are served by the Middletown Senior Center’s MOW program.

Hazel and her husband lost their home in the Valley Fire of 2015. They relocated in the same area, and shortly thereafter, Hazel’s husband passed away. One of their social security checks ceased. The straw that broke the camel’s back per se was Hazel’s utility bills. Her electricity bill was $6 shy of $300.

The situation would look bleak, but MOW is her life saver (literally). Not only does it save her on her utility bill since she doesn’t have to use her stove for cooking, but it supplies her with seven days of healthful meals. Along with the MOWs, on occasion she receives bread, butter, yogurt, eggs, and sometimes desserts. Hazel is unable to drive, so grocery shopping isn’t an option. She can contribute only what she can comfortably afford, or not at all, with absolutely no guilt. A huge daily bonus is there is someone checking Hazel’s well-being.

Russian American Community Services (RACS) – PSA 6

This is a story about our very long-term client, Allan, who started coming to our dining room with a couple of friends more than 10 years ago. Very soon he became our regular. Al is very social by nature and having no close family members and having lost all his life-long friends, he was so happy to find new friends at our dining room. He would say that RACS staff and his RACS friends became his "family’. As the years went by we learned more about him - Al was only 16 when he joined to fight in World War II. He is our only remaining WWII veteran. Al would come to RACS dining room every single day, rain or shine, for over 10 years until he got hospitalized and became homebound.

We then transferred him from our Congregate Meals program into our Home-Delivered meals program. Al was used to our food and was very happy that he continued to receive meals. As a special treat we would occasionally pack an extra loaf of bread, which at times is donated to RACS by the city bakeries. This made him very happy, as he loves having bread with his morning coffee and would call us to say thank you.

While our daily meals provided the food for his body, our phone wellness checks provided the food for his soul, he would say. Al is one of our most elderly and fragile clients, and we made a special effort to check on him often. With his health deteriorating, he was often hospitalized, and at some point was mostly between the hospital and rehabilitation center. With the help of caring personnel at those facilities, we managed to keep track of him and call him almost weekly, which always made him pleasantly surprised. He missed the company of our congregate meal program friends very much, and these calls would remind him of them and the good times.

Recently Al was transferred into a nursing facility, and although we are unable to deliver our meals to him, we continue our wellness check and emotional support call "visits" within our Community Services program. And to Al’s delight, one of his RACS dining room friends, Walter, calls and even visits him there as well! These weekly calls from our HDM Coordinator and his friend Walter are his primary communication with the outside world. He says he is grateful to RACS for that friendship and support.

City of Inglewood – Inglewood Senior Center – PSA 19

The City operates its own central kitchen which allows more control over the quality of meals in comparison to having meals delivered from external caterers. This also provides more flexibility in the number of meals produced per day. The City manages a fleet of 9 custom built food delivery vehicles, purchased through Los Angeles County AAA issued OTO funding and operated by City staff. This results in a very stable and reliable home delivery program which can expand and contract to meet surges in program demand.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the City’s ENP increased by 300%. The flexibility of the City’s central kitchen and fleet of ENP vehicles allowed the City to serve meals to every ENP eligible senior who applied to the City’s program, and no waitlists were implemented at any point. As program demand slowly started to decrease partway through the pandemic, the City successfully requested additional funding from Los Angeles AAA. This funding allowed the City to increase its meal service to 3 meals per day, 7 days per week, for a total of 21 meals per senior per week.

The City continued to use its dietician certified menu throughout the pandemic, ensuring that the nutritional needs of its seniors were met. The City recently switched from a hybrid hot/frozen home delivered meals program to a ready-to-eat program, allowing seniors to receive hot, fresh cooked meals on a daily basis.

In addition to its ENP meals, the City collaborates with the Los Angeles Food Bank and delivers shelf stable meal boxes once per month to its ENP participants. The City also collaborates with the Social Justice Learning Institute to provide weekly fresh produce deliveries to its ENP participants.

The City of Inglewood is proud to work with Los Angeles AAA, a reliable partner that provides funding, guidance and support, and whose priorities are aligned with the City’s: to deliver caring services that empower our community to grow, succeed and thrive.

Derrick Ybarra (Food Services Coordinator)

Meals on Wheels Orange County – PSA 22

Shirley

Shirley has enjoyed living independently in her mobile home for 20 years and is loving her recent decision to receive Meals on Wheels.

"Cooking is a lot of work and I get tired," the 90-year-old admitted. Although Shirley has always been a fan of healthy eating, escalating food costs were an obstacle to providing good nutrition on her fixed income. "Meals on Wheels is a wonderful thing to have on a limited budget and makes it easier to live independently," she said. "Before Meals on Wheels, I depended mostly on canned foods. I did the best I could to avoid junk food, but it was hard. Now that I have these nutritious meals, my whole system is better than it’s ever been, and I’m not tempted to eat other less nutritional things."

Carolyn and Allen

Carolyn and Allen raised 5 children and worked diligently for decades before finally retiring. Unfortunately, along with retirement came the stress of making ends meet. With looming health issues and the increased cost of living, the couple’s fixed income could not stretch to meet their mounting expenses. As time passed, Carolyn and Allen faced the impossible choice between providing nutritious food OR the medications their bodies needed to stay healthy. They couldn’t afford both. How could they choose? Thanks to MOW OC, they didn’t have to.

It’s been over a year since the pair first began receiving home delivered meals from MOW OC, and they are thrilled with the difference it has made in their lives. "We can eat well AND afford our medicine!" said Carolyn. Since starting the program, Allen has lost 35 unwanted pounds, an accomplishment applauded by his doctor. Both Carolyn and Allen appreciate the nutritious benefits the meals provide. Carolyn said, "We don’t eat all the bad food we used to. Allen even eats his vegetables now! Meals on Wheels tastes delicious and helps keep us on a path to better health."

Deborah

Deborah loved her job working with investments to fund church and ministry loans. When chronic health problems forced her into early retirement ten years ago, she felt a devastating loss. "I worked my whole life and loved helping people," she said. Now, at 68, Deborah is the one needing assistance, and is grateful MOW OC is there to help in so many ways. "Meals on Wheels is a Godsend," she said. "If there is something I need, they provide."

Due to Deborah’s health concerns, she needs more than nutritious meals to sustain her independent lifestyle. Since Deborah’s fixed income cannot stretch far enough to satisfy her needs, she is grateful MOW OC programs are also providing home care, housekeeping and safety devices including a gripper and grab bars for the bathroom. Deborah couldn’t be happier. She said, "Meals on Wheels is a wonderful program and quite a blessing. I am very, very thankful."

Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF) - Highland Park Senior Center – PSA 25

Note from home-delivered meal clients — Mrs. Betty Dent (on right)

Mrs. Betty Dent became unemployed during the pandemic at 75 years old. She was referred to MAOF for services. We conducted an assessment of Mrs. Dent’s needs and we signed her up for home-delivered meals since she was facing food insecurity. We assisted her in filing for unemployment benefits, utilities relief programs, and CalFresh to pay for groceries. In addition, her case manager also learned she was living with no hot water and a nonworking refrigerator which MAOF was able to purchase for her through a grant program. Her case manager continues to provide reassurance follow-up calls with Mrs. Dent on a monthly basis.

Jovenes de Antano – PSA 13

The advent of the Coronavirus challenged our distribution process for us to become innovative and creative in the distribution of the meals to the elderly and homebound. We were able to adopt new strategies in delivering the many meals. Aside from having the drivers wear masks, we asked the clients to place containers with lids outside their doors, thus eliminating any person-to-person contact. In addition, we increased telephone contact with those clients with limited family relations, had the drivers knock on the doors to make certain the clients were fully cognizant and contacted families if clients were not responding to our attempted contacts.

Our lunch dining room was closed due to the virus and its closure increased our number of home-delivery clients. We would state that with an increase in funds our list of people served would increase exponentially for there is a definite need for our services. Often times the drivers are the only contact many of our clients have on any given day. Our services could include real-time contact and referral to social/wrap around services.

We do look toward the continuation of our services and acknowledge that we provide a much needed service if not an actual life-line to the many people served.

City of El Monte – Jack Crippen Senior Center – PSA 19

Recreation Leaders Belinda Vega and Mariana Sandoval

The Jack Crippen Multipurpose Senior Center it is a well known service center that has been serving low income seniors and individuals with disabilities within the community for over 42 years. If it wasn't for the Elderly Nutrition Program, older individuals would resort to purchasing unhealthy and expensive fast food that can possibly compromise their health and socially isolate them.

City of Burbank – Tuttle Center, Joslyn Center, and McCambridge Center – PSA 19

I just wanted to share the good news that back in October 2021 our Elderly Nutrition Program at the City of Burbank was named for the 2021 Helen Putnam Award from Cal Cities at the 10/26/21 City Council meeting.

We received many comments, calls and emails from our patrons thanking us for the service we provide. Many appreciated the quick turn around and changes that we made in order to still accommodate them during these difficult times.

Image of Carlos Navarro — Carlos Navarro

Alexa Reyes, Alexis Norwood, Jonathan Hernandez, Carlos Navarro and Rafael Magana

Volunteer and Participant: Cecille Greenwalt, Amelia Jenkins, Tili Balos, and Hedda Gee

City of Norwalk – Norwalk Senior Center – PSA 19

The Elderly Nutrition Program (ENP) is an important service for the older adults of the Norwalk Community. Through the ENP older adults receive a healthy meal daily and through this last year has been a lifeline as the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted closures of the Senior Center. Older adults knew that they could count on the City of Norwalk and the WDACS to provide the delivery of meals for many and a pick up option for those who were able to do so. We learned that we were resilient in our efforts to provide meals, increasing routes for service, delivering arts and crafts, providing a monthly newsletter for engagement, adjusting to protocols and mandates without skipping a beat. The ENP anchored our older adults to hope in the darkest of times and enabled them to stay home safely while being engaged with the community in a small way.

Below is a link to a short video highlighting the diligent work and dedication that the City of Norwalk has put into fighting food insecurity within the older adult population.

Pacific Educational Facilities Inc. - Ramona Senior Center – PSA 23

We had a holiday event for all seniors at the Ramona Senior Center that was fantastic! Our event had a delicious meal that consisted of ham with cherry sauce, yams, green bean casserole, and a dinner roll followed by a slice of strawberry rhubarb pie. This meal was served to 100 congregate seniors that came to celebrate the day together and also to approximately 175 homebound seniors. We also gave gifts, funded through other grants, to all 100 congregate and 175 homebound seniors. As the seniors entered the building, we had it beautifully decorated for them and as they signed in, we gave everyone a preprinted card with the information about where the grant funds came from to make this event possible. We wrote their name on the card and instructed them to enter our multipurpose room at 11:00 am for a surprise. The seniors lined up outside the door and when they entered the room they were surprised with volunteers, staff, Santa and his elf, all ready to fill a shopping bag full of gifts for them. Each table had a different gift displayed on it. They first received a shopping bag and then the fun began! As they traveled through the room, they each got to pick a blanket of their choice to put in their bag and then continue on to the next gift. Volunteers loaded their bags with a big tin of butter cookies, a lovely container of Italian truffles, and then Santa handed them candy canes with a personalized greeting card. They then headed out to the dining room to have a seat and socialize with their friends until their delicious meal was served to their table. At each setting there was also a beautiful hand quilted placement from our local quilting group that each senior was able to take home with them. The smiles were so big and appreciation was even bigger!

"The Christmas gifts were such a terrific surprise and a great blessing! I'm very thankful to you all. I just moved here two years ago. The people are so friendly and there's a lot of love and kindness here I really look forward to coming, nice folks here." – With Love, Janet (Client)

"I'm writing this note on behalf of the Ramona Senior Center. In December 2021 I helped distribute gifts for all seniors that attended the Christmas lunch. They each received a bag in which to put goodies which included a nice furry blanket. At each stop along the table they were given many gifts. Each person was overwhelmed with this event. Some were even tearful. I felt honored to be a part of this event. The highlight was Santa was even there to support this effort to bring some cheer to these seniors who are mostly isolated in our small town of Ramona. Thank you to all who made this event happen." – Debi Fraser (Volunteer)

El Dorado County Senior Nutrition Program – Placerville Senior Center – PSA 29

Image of Vivian Carpender (client) and Charles Pace (volunteer driver) — Vivian Carpender (client) and Charles Pace (volunteer driver)

Charlie Pace (volunteer driver)

I look forward to Wednesday. I look forward to seeing the Senior Nutrition Services meal delivery recipients on my route. I always start with Vivian. Her cheerfulness and great smile are motivational. All "my folks" are so thankful. They make my day!

Ann Freeman (volunteer driver)

I decided to be a home delivered meal volunteer because I enjoy meeting new people and because my elderly mother in Portland had meals delivered to her. I met several of the volunteers and decided that when I retired, I would like to do the same.

I’ve delivered meals to Dan for at least 4+ years and we’ve become good friends. He’s a retire Army veteran. We both look forward to our Wednesday visits. He had his 94th birthday on February 16, 2022!

Louise Butler (volunteer driver)

I have been a Service Provider for 10 years and really enjoy it. I love the joy I see on their faces when I arrive and how they love talking with me, as I love sharing a little time talking with them. I feel spending a little time with each senior and asking them how they are doing will make their day!

ONEgeneration – Senior Enrichment Center – PSA 25

ONEgeneration continues to provide ongoing nutrition support through their Homebound Meals Program to the San Fernando Valley's most frail, homebound older adults. These meals not only provide access to ongoing nutrition support, but also access to socialize with staff, volunteers, and community partners.

ONEgeneration has partnered with the National Charity League (NCL) San Fernando Valley Chapter, a local community group comprised of mothers and their daughters participating in volunteer activities. Throughout the year, NCL volunteers create a variety of goodies for ONEgeneration which are then given out to the homebound clients with their daily hot meals. In 2021, over 250 warm blankets were made and given out to seniors with their meals. Other goodies made by NCL throughout the year have included Mother’s Day ornaments, Valentine's Day sweets and Halloween decorations.

Valley InterCommunity Council - North East Valley – PSA 25

Tammy Reese Williams, Executive Nutrition Director, VIC- North East Valley

In March 2020, we closed 19 congregate meal sites overnight by coordinating with staff to make outbound calls to seniors and coordinate weekly deliveries, walk-up windows, or grab-n-go sites to adhere to the stay-at-home orders and safety guidelines. This logistical operation included all hands on deck. We quickly secured three different caterers and partnered with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to be able to serve four times as many clients. Next, we spoke with our Council Members and Los Angeles Department of Aging to assemble emergency meal delivery teams of disaster service workers to leave no senior behind. Through meal distributions, we were able to send out newsletters, facemasks, hand sanitizers, donated goods, and resource flyers to ensure our seniors had the resources necessary to keep them safe at home. Mid-way through our contract year, we served so many seniors that we ran out of funding. However, we did not stop there. We sought out private grants, sponsorships, and donations to exceed over and beyond one million meals of service as an agency in the highest ranked COVID-19 affected communities in the nation: Pacoima and Sylmar. This was a community-wide effort and took a village to accomplish the task at hand that my team and I are very proud of being a part of.

Ramona Senior Center – PSA 23

The Ramona Senior Center received a $4,000.00 grant to purchase pet food and supplies for their homebound seniors. Fifty-five seniors have a total of 96 animals including cats, dogs, 2 ponies, 4 chickens and a turkey. The nutrition program manager dedicated her whole weekend to purchasing hundreds of pounds of wet food, dry food, pet beds, litter and litter boxes, pee pads, shampoo, toys, treats, leashes, collars, and even a dog crate, for all of the seniors’ furry family members. All pet food and supplies were delivered along with the home-delivered meals. Knowing their pets’ needs are met puts the seniors at ease and improves their morale during these unprecedented times. Additionally, in response to COVID-19, the Ramona Senior Center proudly delivers nearly 2,000 home-delivered meals weekly to seniors living in very remote/rural areas of San Diego County, as well as around 400 to-go meals weekly.

City and County of San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services, PSA 6 – Leah’s Pantry

Anna Ng, RD, Leah’s Pantry Registered Dietitian

San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services (DAS) provides funding to multiple community partners to offer congregate and home-delivered nutrition programs for older adults throughout the City. The congregate and home-delivered nutrition programs are intended to improve the dietary intake of participants and offer participants opportunities to create informal support networks. As a supporting part of the meal programs, DAS funds the Citywide Nutrition Counseling and Education program with the purpose of providing older adults, enrolled in congregate and home-delivered nutrition programs, nutrition counseling services and nutrition education workshops that promote lifestyle changes and support and encourage individuals to actively manage their health and wellness.

Leah’s Pantry is the organization that has contracted with DAS to provide citywide nutrition counseling and education services to congregate and home-delivered meal participants since FY17-18. Leah’s Pantry collaborates with nine DAS-funded congregate and home-delivered nutrition partners to provide nutrition education workshops and one-on-one nutrition counseling to older adults screened at high nutritional risk.

In a nutrition counseling session, clients can make nutrition-related goals based on the advice and guidance from the registered dietitian (RD), and have the option to meet with the RD once or on an ongoing basis either in person or over the phone. Leah’s Pantry provides nutrition counseling services to participants in any language through language interpretation services.

The nutrition education workshops consist of four classes once a week and follow a learner-centered nutrition and cooking curriculum for low-income communities. The curriculum covers topics such as recommended food groups, reading nutrition labels, cooking healthy foods in limited circumstances, and recipe demonstrations. Leah’s Pantry collaborates with congregate nutrition providers to host the workshops at congregate meal sites throughout the City, and workshops are provided in English, Spanish, and Chinese. Outcome evaluations reliably show the adoption of healthier dietary and food resource management behaviors. Based on FY20-21 data, 97% of workshop participants reported an increase in consumption of fruits and vegetables, 99% reported feeling more confident in their ability to prepare food for themselves, and 96% reported making at least one healthy change as a result of a nutrition education workshop.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Leah’s Pantry continues to provide nutrition counseling and education services to congregate and home-delivered meal participants by hosting virtual workshops and offering nutrition counseling over the phone or through a video appointment.

Carlsbad Senior Center – PSA 23

The Carlsbad Senior Center had to switch gears fast when the pandemic hit. The facility had to close, but the needs of our Seniors increased, exponentially.

The Home-Delivered Meal program expanded from four routes manned by volunteers to 12 routes manned by City staff who had never had that responsibility before. The City staff stepped up in the most remarkable way - with great attitudes and a willingness and desire to assist our Seniors. They truly go above and beyond. It means the world to our recipients; the senior center often receives calls and letters of appreciation for the care that the drivers give. For example, an excerpt from a recent letter received follows:

"Since I am the caretaker of my husband and home, I sometimes am overwhelmed. Being able to pick up our dinner with my only responsibility to make a salad has been a godsend. And just as important are the smiles and laughs of the lunch crew. They are so supportive and fun during this time of isolation. It’s the joyful part of the day for my husband, my puppy, and myself."

The curbside pick-up line is our alternate to the dining room. Seniors tell us that coming through and having the 60-120 seconds is the highlight of their day. We try really hard to make every pick-up day special. One of our crew members puts out decorations every single day. We have a daily riddle or positive affirmation board. We have Music Mondays and Fun Fridays and offer other opportunities for senior engagement. It is not only about the meal, it’s about the community we have built and the smiles that we share.

We all miss having the center open, however, we have truly made lemonade out of lemons. We look forward to coming to the center each day to serve the Seniors in our community.

City and County of San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services, PSA 6 – Project Open Hand

As an Area Agency on Aging, the San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services (DAS) provides funding to multiple community partners to offer congregate and home-delivered nutrition programs for older adults throughout the City. The congregate and home-delivered nutrition programs are intended to promote health and wellness, and assist individuals who are food insecure and at risk of poor nutritional health in gaining reliable access to nutritious foods and meals, and other nutrition related supportive services.

One of the community organizations that DAS partners with to provide congregate nutrition services is Project Open Hand. Project Open Hand has provided congregate meals to older adults since 1998, and prior to the COVID-19 pandemic provided hot congregate breakfast and lunches to older adults at 16 locations throughout the City. In response to the shelter-in-place orders put in place in March 2020, Project Open Hand has implemented many operational changes in order to continue to meet the needs of older adults in San Francisco.

Project Open Hand transitioned from hot meals to distributing "meal packs" to participants, containing seven frozen congregate meals. This allowed participants to remain sheltering-in-place, except for a single weekly pickup, without having to forego receiving nutritious meals. Project Open Hand was able to supply six of their sites with a freezer to hold the meals prior to pick up. Due to safety reasons, one of their congregate meal site locations decided to close until the pandemic was over. To continue to serve the fifty clients that went to this meal site, Project Open Hand deployed a refrigerated mobile van and set up the distribution of meals outside of the building.

These innovative strategies have had a tremendous impact in older adults accessing nutritious foods during the pandemic. From April 2020 to February 2021, Project Open Hand has distributed over 372,000 meals to older adults throughout San Francisco, which is a 60 percent increase in meals compared to what was provided the year prior.

Meals on Wheels Orange County, PSA 22

During Older Americans month, we celebrate the strength of older adults and the aging network. The following stories share the perspective of older adults receiving meals through the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program.

Norma and Barbara - North Seal Beach Senior Center

Sisters Norma, 94, and Barbara, 92 miss the pre-pandemic "good ol’ days" when they hopped on a bus destined for a local senior center and enjoyed a hot meal at our Lunch Café, the popular Meals on Wheels OC lunch program enjoyed by thousands each year at 23 partnering senior centers. Going to the Lunch Café was a weekday excursion for the sisters that was as much about meeting with friends as it was about having a good meal. Sadly, COVID-19 necessitated the suspension of these special gatherings. Instead, Meals on Wheels OC worked diligently to convert this program to a Grab & Go frozen meal service that offers curbside pick-up or delivery of a week’s worth of meals. Surrogates, such as family or friends, may pick up meals for an older adult. For those who are unable to get to their closest participating location and do not have someone who can do so for them, meals are delivered similar to our traditional home-delivered Meals on Wheels. Now, many folks like Norma and Barbara are enjoying access to nutritious food while they limit exposure to this life-threatening virus by having the meals delivered. And like Norma and Barbara, we’re all anxious to return to the "good ol’ days" of meeting together to share laughs and connect over a delicious meal. In the meantime, we’re making sure at-risk older adults are as safe and healthy as they can be!

Corazon – Meals on Wheels Orange County & Fullerton Community Center

Corazon is a 75-year-old participant enrolled in the Grab & Go Meal Program at the Fullerton Community Center. She learned about the Lunch Café/Grab & Go Meals Program through a newsletter providing details and has been participating throughout the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. This program has helped Corazon and her husband immensely, physically, nutritionally, and financially. Corazon is extremely grateful for this program as it has been difficult for her to buy groceries and prepare meals during the pandemic. The program has helped limit her exposure to COVID-19 and she picks up meals at the Fullerton Community Center every week. Both Corazon and her husband love the food stating that it is well prepared, very nutritious, and sanitary. She routinely thanks the employees at Meals on Wheels OC and at the site for offering the Lunch Café/Grab & Go Meals Program.

Ezekiel and Irma - Meals on Wheels Orange County

Since 83-year-old Irma suffered a stroke last year, her husband Ezekiel has been her loving caregiver. Ezekiel considers himself an "excellent dishwasher," but much less competent preparing meals when it comes to time in the kitchen. Since the threat of COVID-19, the couple stays home, restricting their outings to doctor appointments. "It is limiting," said Ezekiel, "but no one is exempt from this virus." When trips to the grocery store were no longer safe for the couple, their niece suggested they contact Meals on Wheels Orange County. Since joining the program six months ago, Irma and Ezekiel are no longer concerned about getting the nutrition they need. Without Meals on Wheels, Ezekiel knows they would be struggling to meet their dietary needs. "We would be eating badly," he said. The pandemic has resulted in isolation and loneliness for many older adults. Knowing someone will arrive at the door with meals is a comfort. Irma and Ezekiel look forward to receiving physically distant check-ins from their Meals on Wheels driver. Irma said, "It’s so nice to have someone come over and say hello."

Norma - H. Louis Lake Senior Center

Meals on Wheels client, Lorna, is legally blind. Before COVID-19 hit, she travelled with her service animal to the local grocery store, sometimes navigating the streets on foot and other times taking public transportation. Lorna’s purchases were restricted to whatever she could carry home, which eliminated heavy items like milk. Her limited sight made the trip to the store and the task of shopping enormously challenging. "Every aisle looked like the cereal aisle, and I made a lot of mistakes," she said. Since Lorna’s groceries were minimal and she could not safely use the stove, her menu options were few. When her crockpot became inoperable, Lorna’s choices were even more constrained. "I just ate whatever came my way," she said. When COVID-19 hit and it was no longer safe to travel to the store, Lorna knew the time had come to call Meals on Wheels Orange County for help. Now, Lorna is thrilled to receive nutrition-packed meals while in the safety of her home and is thankful to be independent. The Meals on Wheels prepared meals make life easier and much less "messy" for Lorna. "I’m not knocking things over and breaking glass when I go to make a meal anymore," she said. Lorna appreciates the variety of entrees, and especially enjoys one special item included with every delivery that was always missing from her shopping list: Milk!

El Dorado County Area Agency on Aging, PSA 29 - Senior Nutrition Program

The shut-down began in March 2020. Like so many programs and services affected by COVID 19, the El Dorado County Senior Nutrition Program closed eight community dining centers and lost many home-delivered meal (HDM) volunteers. While this moment was unprecedented, it was met with the resilience of many new volunteers who stepped forward to offer their help and support.

As the overnight transition was made from sit down dining to "take-out" meal service, small teams of volunteers have continued to arrive at 7:30 am Monday through Friday to help our West Slope kitchen staff wrap more than 700 cold packs that accompany the hot entree being served each day. In addition to wrapping cold packs, volunteers assembled 350 grocery boxes for weekly distribution to take-out meal and HDM participants, totaling more than 17,000 grocery boxes between May 2020 - April 2021.

The small, rural communities of El Dorado County have been served by five take-out meal locations on the western slope of the Sierras, and one location in the city of South Lake Tahoe. The participation was overwhelmingly positive. During the first week of the closure in March 2020, 449 take-out meals were provided to 122 unduplicated seniors. A year later, during the week of March 22, 2021, 1,721 take-out meals were provided to 423 unduplicated seniors.

By continuing to provide meals through take-out and HDM service, Nutrition staff and HDM volunteers have been able to maintain a vital social connection with our senior community to help assure their continued health, wellness and safety. Take-out meal service was also enhanced by the valuable opportunity to collaborate with Senior Information and Assistance staff, Home Energy and Assistance (HEAP) program staff, and regional food banks to provide additional resources and services to seniors in need.

The results of a recent survey helped affirm the importance of nutrition programs when asked, "What do you feel is the best part of the Senior Nutrition Program?":

"We eat much healthier, plus it is an excellent value for our limited income."
"Ease of getting meals and seeing other seniors."
"Ensures a healthy and tasty meal."
"Provides healthy, affordable variety of meals."
"It helps me provide a healthy, more varied diet for my mom – and an additional benefit, I eat a healthier more varied diet too."

ONEgeneration Senior Enrichment Center & Adult Daycare Center, PSA 25

ONEgeneration meal delivery with Ali and Dolores

In March 2020, as a result of closing all in-person programming due to COVID-19, ONEgeneration shifted the focus and delivery of all social service programs to address the immediate and evolving needs of quarantined older adults, family caregivers, and unemployed adults. Our programs have converted to home-based, drive-through, or virtual engagements responding to the increasing food insecurity and need for social services among the disadvantaged populations we serve. ONEgeneration is feeding an average of 2500 households each month. We pick up daily and deliver perishable and nonperishable food items from over ten local markets to our most frail, homebound community, including those grandparents who care for grandchildren and cannot get to the market on their own. ONEgeneration is delivering over 200,000 pounds of food each month, including over 32,000 meals to homebound adults. Our goal is to keep seniors and families in need healthy and to prevent hunger, homelessness, and hospitalization due to chronic illness.

Meals on Wheels of Santa Cruz County

Meals on Wheels (MOW) of Santa Cruz County staff and volunteers have stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide home-delivered meals (HDM) with love and comfort to the seniors in our community. When congregate sites closed due to the shelter in place orders, MOW quickly adapted to an all HDM delivery system, with congregate site managers becoming meal delivery drivers. Staff stepped up to become COVID-19 safety protocol experts, implementing temperature checks and safety protocols for all essential staff at the main kitchen. As the pandemic grew, MOW saw a need for additional meals for their senior clients and began packing and delivering a week's worth of breakfast foods to all HDM clients. At its height, MOW was delivering 700 HDM lunch and breakfast meals per week and continue to deliver 600 lunches and breakfasts per week currently. MOW of Santa Cruz has gone above and beyond for its senior clients; staff personally called each participant who met vaccination age requirements and helped them navigate the vaccination process. Their love and caring for each senior participant at MOW Santa Cruz is amazing, and all staff deserves a standing ovation!!

Dine At Home Sacramento Program

Image of pasta, salad, and fruit in to-go containers

To keep Sacramento County older adults safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, Agency on Aging\Area 4 (AAA4) partnered with the County of Sacramento to provide fresh meals to over 1000 people in the community. At least twice a week,15 local restaurants deliver freshly prepared meals to older adults who shelter-in-place. The Dine At Home Sacramento program participants receive two meals per day, either breakfast and lunch or lunch and dinner, and they can select from meat, vegetarian or diabetic menu options. The program has served over 260,000 restaurant-quality meals and has helped to save over 80 jobs is Sacramento County. The program has become so popular that the AAA4 created the Dine at Home Yolo and Dine at Home Yuba Sutter programs. Other counties have also followed the same service model to increase their reach to older adults in their community.

City of San Marcos, PSA 23 - San Marcos Senior Activity Center

Older adult woman holding a box of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Prior to the pandemic, the San Marcos Senior Activity Center (SAC) served one hot meal a day at our Discovery Cafe. We served our last congregate meal Friday, March 13, 2020 and on the following Monday, we transitioned to a home delivered frozen meal program. We have three staff delivering over 300 meals per week across the southern California city of San Marcos. Due to the duration of the pandemic and the state mandate that seniors over 65 years of age continue to isolate, we decided to offer a fresh produce and various other items food box to all 60 participants in our home delivered meal program. We partnered with a local church that supplemented the box with pasta, dry beans, canned fruits, vegetables, soups, oatmeal and a healthy variety of snacks. In addition, the SAC purchased fresh greens for salads, carrots, celery, spinach, squash, tomatoes, berries, tuna, chicken, salmon, cottage cheese, cheese, deli meat and peanut butter. The boxes are distributed every other month to approximately 50 homebound seniors. Each box provides at least an additional 10 meals per month.

City and County of San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services, PSA 6 - Bayview Senior Services

Older adult woman standing next to a shelf full of fresh fruit and vegetables.

As an Area Agency on Aging, the San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services (DAS) provides funding to multiple community partners to offer congregate nutrition programs for older adults throughout the City. The congregate nutrition programs are intended to promote health and wellness, and assist individuals who are food insecure and at risk of poor nutritional health in gaining reliable access to nutritious foods and meals, and other nutrition related supportive services.

One of the community organizations that DAS partners with to provide congregate nutrition services is Bayview Senior Services. For over 40 years, Bayview Senior Services has provided programs designed to enhance and retain the health, quality of life, and culture of African American older adults in San Francisco. Bayview Senior Services offers an American-Southern style congregate lunch to older adults at 4 sites throughout San Francisco.

In response to the shelter-in-place orders put in place in March, 2020, Bayview Senior Services transitioned to take-out congregate meals to continue serving its participants. However, Bayview Senior Services saw an increased need for additional food resources. Based on consumer intake information, 68% of their congregate meal participants are low income and 40% are at high risk for poor nutritional health. To meet the increased need from their participants, Bayview Senior Services piloted a new program at two of their meal sites in conjunction with the San-Francisco Marin Food bank (SFMFB) and the San Francisco Produce Market. On a weekly basis, Bayview Senior Services receives 125 grocery bags from the SFMFB, and supplements the grocery bags with culturally appropriate produce tailored to their population. Examples of additional produce include cabbage, sweet potatoes, corn, bok choy, pineapple, and green beans. When older adults come to the site to pick up their congregate meal, they are given the supplemental grocery bag as well. The program’s success not only acknowledges the importance of providing cultural foods that support good health, but also limits the participant’s COVID-19 risk by providing meals and groceries at one location.

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Success Stories 2022