County offers various assistance programs to qualified LW residents

by Mariann Klinger

District 1, O.C. Older Adult Advisory Commission

Many Leisure World residents take advantage of food trucks at Clubhouse 6, Meals on Wheels delivered to their home or they attend the weekday meal program in Seal Beach Community Center at noon. Long lines form for the Seal Beach Lions Club monthly distribution of boxes of fruits and vegetables.

But most don’t know about other food programs aimed at making nutritious eating easier. Orange County works with a variety of organizations to supplement food programs for older adults.

CalFresh, a state and federally funded program, helps eligible older adults buy the food they need for good health, according to Anna Luciano Acenas of the county’s Health Care Agency. The organization’s programs help people who establish eligibility through income and household size. “The programs include grocery money and even meals at participating restaurants,” said Acenas.

During the summer months the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program offers a $50 voucher to use at one of the11 participating farmers markets. In addition, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program and the Emergency Food Assistance Program supply food packages with special items.

To find out more about the available programs and for help with eligibility forms, call 211, an Orange County information exchange or contact the county Office on Aging at 714-480-6450.

Organizations such as the Second Harvest Food Bank, Catholic Charities, Meals on Wheels and the programs named above work with the Community Action Partnership coordinated by Orange County Food Bank to aid and ensure that the older population gets the help and nutrition it needs.