This one in a series ….

This one in a series of occasional columns to familiarize LW residents with the vast array of resources available to them. Each article focuses on a topic of interest as researched by GRF Member Resource Liaison Robann Arshat. This one is about the plethora of food resource programs in Orange County. The goal is to help residents better manage the challenges often associated with aging and to keep people at home and healthy for as long as possible.

by Robann Arshat

member resource liaison

There are many food resources in Orange County. For easy access information on finding more programs, resources, farmers markets, nutrition and free food map, visit www.ocfoodhelp.org.

Here is a list of top options:

• CalFresh CalFresh, also known as the Food Stamp program or federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), provides monthly food benefits to individuals with low-income. It is the largest food program in California. This program issues monthly benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card (i.e., debit card). Food may be purchased at any grocery store or farmers market that accepts EBT card.

The amount of benefits depends on household size and income. The income guideline for 2022 is: one-person household can have a maximum gross monthly income of $2,148; and a two-person household, $2,904. Signing up for CalFresh is easy.

Log on to www.getcalfresh.org and click on “Apply for California Food Stamps Online.”

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A pink screen with a green “Apply now” button will appear, Click it and follow the simple directions to fill in the information. People who don’t have computers can call LW’s CalFresh representative Daisy Diaz at 714-733-8679 or 714448-6226. Or they can call the main toll-free number at 800281-9799.

CalFresh also offers a Restaurant Meal Program that allows elderly, disabled and homeless CalFresh recipients to use CalFresh benefits to purchase prepared meals at participating restaurants by using their Golden State Advantage (EBT) card. To find participating restaurants, log on to https:// ssa.ocgov.com/cash-calfresh/ calfresh/rmp-locations.

Community Action Partnership Food Distribution Free food is available in Leisure World to eligible residents who are 60 years and older through Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAPOC). The distribution site is at Clubhouse 4 on the third Thursday of the month from 9-11a.m. Each eligible person receives a 32-pound box of food which includes cereal, peanut butter, juice, milk, cheese, canned vegetables, fruit and soup. The guidelines for LW residents are they must be at least 60 years, have an income level of $1,473 per month for a one-person household; $1,984 per month, two-person household; and $2,495, three-person household.

To sign up, bring a photo ID and proof of income (Social Security/SSI statement, letter or bank statement or paycheck stub) to the food delivery truck, where the attendant will sign people up. Qualified seniors will receive food the same day. Seniors who are unable to drive to the pick-up site may send a proxy to act on their behalf with appropriate ID. To see if you qualify, contact Trudy Wilson, senior CSFP manager at 714-667-0717, ext. 3610, or twilson@capoc.org.

MealsOnWheels-Anaheim

Meals On Wheels offers home-delivered meals in one of two programs to choose from. The first one includes five days of meals, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, delivered to homebound adults 60 years and older who have difficulty shopping or preparing meals and no one to help with meal support. Meals are nutritious, hearthealthy, diabetic-friendly and meet 100% of recommended dietary allowance. Participants are given the opportunity to provide a voluntary contribution for meals. However, those who qualify for the low-income program are entitled to financial assistance to cover the cost of daily meals.

Program No. 2, Senior Cuisine Delivered, offers a choice from favorite participating restaurants and caterers for a lunch and dinner for two, four or six days a week. Meals are affordably prices at $10.95 each with no additional delivery costs and no hidden fees. For more information, call 714-220-0224 or visit www.MealsOnWheelsOC. org.

Meals on Wheels of Long Beach

Meals on Wheels of Long Beach offers a service of home delivered nutritionally balanced and diabetic-friendly ready to eat meals for individuals who are unable to shop and cook for themselves and who live alone. Meals are delivered Monday-Friday, except for major holidays. Service can be long-term or on a temporary basis for people recovering from surgery or illness. The fee is $9.75 per day for a hot dinner, cold lunch, dessert and beverage. However, those who qualify for the lowincome program are eligible for financial assistance to cover the cost of daily meals. For more information, call 562-439-5000, ext. 1, or visit the website at www. mowlb.org.

Seal Beach Lunch Program

The Seal Beach Lunch Program is provided by Meals on Wheels OC at the North Seal Beach Center, 3333 St. Cloud Dr., Seal Beach. A dine-in lunch is served on Thursdays from 11a.m. -noon.

Starting Monday, Dec. 5, this lunch program will be offered from 11a.m.-noon Monday through Friday. The lunch program is open to all adults age 60 years and older, suggested donation is $3.

For more information, call the site at 562-430-6079 between 8 a.m. and noon or visit the city website at www.sealbeachca.gov/ city-services/senior-services.

Los Alamitos Community Center Drive-Through Distribution This senior grocery program is sponsored by the Second Harvest Food Bank OC and Cottonwood Church.

They provide free grocery items, no registration or income requirements.

Distribution is Tuesdays beginning at 1 p.m. until supplies last, on a first-come, first-served basis. People are asked to arrive no sooner than 12:45 p.m. due to space constrictions and follow the signs. People should bring bags and carts to carry groceries home. For more information, call 562-430-1073 or visit the website at www.cityoflosalamitos. org/recreation.

Other Resources

Grocery delivery: Some local grocery stores offer delivery services, and they will take EBT (CalFresh) debit cards. People can order and pay online. These stores also offer ready-made meals that can be heated or hot prepared meals. People can place orders online and have meals delivered to their doors.

Sprouts, Ralphs and Gelson’s use Instacart for their delivery services for a fee. Pavilions has a concierge delivery free of charge.

Target will deliver groceries for $9.99 per delivery.

Hunger Hotline: Call the USDA National Hunger Hotline for immediate food assistance at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-3486479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273). Information is available in English and Spanish. The hotline operates Monday-Friday from 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Eastern Time.

Residents are invited to visit the brochure display in Building 5 for more information. To book an appointment to learn more, call Robann Arshat at 562-4316586, ext. 317.