Food resources available for lowincome seniors
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, CalFresh benefits will be delayed in November. More than 310,000 low-income Orange County residents—mostly older adults and children—receive CalFresh benefits, otherwise known as SNAP or food stamps, according to public health agency CalOptima.
LW residents who rely on Cal-Fresh for groceries are encouraged to call 211 or visit 211oc.org to be connected to food, housing and utility resources.
November benefits are anticipated to be retroactively issued when the shutdown is resolved, according to CalOptima.
Although CalFresh cases will not be closed due to the federal government shutdown, recipients are urged to continue meeting all mandatory reporting requirements to ensure benefits can continue promptly when funding resumes. In the meantime, here are a few local resources that provide free food to low-income seniors:
• Los Alamitos Free Grocery Program: GRF Member Resources Liaison Robann Arshat endorses this program as a great option for people who have lost their CalFresh benefits. Free grocery items are offered every Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Los Alamitos Community Center, 10911 Oak St., Los Alamitos. People should bring their own grocery bags or a cart to shop through the grocery offerings. No registration or documentation is required. For more information, call 562-4301073, or email garteaga-ceja@cityoflosalamitos.org.
• LW Cares Fund: The nonprofit Leisure World Cares Fund will provide cash assistance of up to $100 to cover the electronic benefits that CalFresh recipients have lost due to the government shutdown. For more information, see page 20.
• CAPOC Free Food or Seniors Citizens: The Community Action Partnership of the Orange County Food Bank provides free food to people 60 years and older. Each eligible person receives 32-pound box of food including cereal, juice, peanut butter, milk, canned vegetables, fruit, soup and cheese. To qualify, a one-person senior household must make no more than $1,957 gross income per month; for two people the limit is $2,644 a month. Those who qualify can receive a food box the same day. People must bring their ID card to the distribution. For more information, call 714-667-0717 or visit www.capoc.org.
• Meals on Wheels Orange County/Meals on Wheels Long Beach: This program provides food to people who are 60 years and older and homebound due to illness, disability or lack of mobility. There is a suggested contribution of $5.25 per day; however, individuals will not be refused services based on their inability to contribute. To inquire about home delivered meals from Meals on Wheels OC, visit https://shorturl.at/z7sDh and click “Inquire Now.” After submitting the digital form, a staff member will contact the applicant to help them finish signing up for the program. To sign up for Meals on Wheels Long Beach, visit https://mowlb.org/clientssignup or call 562-439-5000. See weekly menu on page 6.
• 211 Senior Food Help: Call 211 to be connected to a wide variety of resources, including CalFresh benefits, restaurant meal programs, senior groceries and meal delivery programs, emergency food assistance and more.
• Free Weekly Grocery Box (Sun Terra): MediCal recipients living with chronic health conditions can receive a free grocery box delivered to their doorstep weekly. A registered dietician will determine what items are best suited for the recipient. To apply, call 949-673-0783, email meals@sunterraonline.com or visit www. projectfoodbox.org/MTM.
• Abrazar Food Program for Seniors (through Second Harvest Food Bank): Abrazar offers a variety of congregate meals, groceries and home-delivered meals to people through sites in Westminster and Midway City community centers. To qualify, people must be over 60 years old, low income and Orange County residents. For more information, call 714-893-3581 or email abrazar.info@abrazarinc.com.
For more information about resources of all kinds, contact GRF Member Resources Liaison Robann Arshat at 562-431-6586, ext. 2317.
