“Seniors shouldn't be turned away” from meals during COVID-19 pandemic

SAN JOSE – During the October 6 Board of Supervisors meeting, Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian pressed County staff to assure continued funding for senior nutrition sites which have seen increasing demand for meals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On July 1, some senior nutrition sites had been advised by County staff to scale back to their lower, “pre-COVID” service levels, which resulted in some seniors being turned away. At Simitian’s behest during the July 21 Board of Supervisors meeting, County staff affirmed that they could and would find funding to keep these meal programs operating to meet the higher level of demand, so seniors would not be denied a nutritious meal.

At the Board’s October 6 meeting, staff acknowledged that they would need additional funding to continue meeting the increased need. Simitian called on staff to “find a way” to make sure that no seniors would be turned away. “It’s vital, now more than ever, that the folks who are most vulnerable not have to worry about their next meal,” said Simitian. “I’m pleased the County will be able to continue providing sufficient funding for these meals.”

"Senior Nutrition programs are a vital source of food for one of the most vulnerable segments of the community during these pandemic times,” said Tom Myers, Executive Director of Community Services Agency of Mountain View and Los Altos (CSA). “Our thanks to the County, we can't expect cutbacks to pre-COVID numbers to feed the growing number of seniors in need."

Following the October 6 meeting, Simitian confirmed the County Administration’s commitment to identify funds with a letter to County Administrator Dr. Jeff Smith (attached).

District Five Meal Providers

• Seniors over 60 years old seeking meals in Mountain View or Los Altos can participate in the County-funded Senior Nutrition Program run by Community Services Agency of Mountain View and Los Altos (CSA). Their drive-thru program operates Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. at the Mountain View Senior Center at 266 Escuela Avenue. People with questions may contact CSA at (650) 964-6586;
•  La Comida provides “to go” meals for seniors in Palo Alto at two locations: Stevenson House at 455 East Charleston Road from 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. and at the Masonic Center at 461 Florence Street from 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. on weekdays. For more information, visit www.lacomida.org or call (650) 322-3742;
• The Sunnyvale Senior Nutrition Program provides “to go” meals at First United Methodist Church of Sunnyvale at 535 Old San Francisco Road on weekdays. Seniors can call (408) 739-0833 for more information; and,
• Existing and new clients of Self-Help for the Elderly in Sunnyvale can also get “to go” meals at 550 E. Remington Drive at 11 a.m. on weekdays. Residents may call (408) 733-1883 for more information.