The Power of the Right Connection: Referrals at SOS

The first thing our clients learn about us is that a meal is just the beginning. While our food deliveries provide sustenance, our mission goes far beyond the plate. We support the comprehensive needs facing older adults—connecting clients to community resources and providing social connections—all designed to help seniors maintain their independence and dignity while living in their own homes.

What makes our approach special is the personal attention we give each client. Our drivers don’t just drop off meals—they provide warm smiles, friendly conversation, and regular wellness checks that have saved lives. But our care extends even further through our dedicated Client Services team, who work one-on-one with seniors to identify challenges and connect them with exactly the right community resources.

Take Ms. D, an 85-year-old who came to us feeling utterly alone in her San Leandro mobile home during COVID. Through thoughtful conversations, our team recognized her need for social connection and helped enroll her in local senior programs. Three years later and no longer homebound, she is now a regular at exercise classes and Bible study groups, crediting SOS with giving her back her joy for living. Her eyes shined with gratitude when she recently told us, “You saved my life.”

Then there’s Mary’s story, which shows how we help fill critical gaps in elder care. At 93 with advancing Alzheimer’s, Mary had begun wandering her neighborhood at night, relying on the kindness of a neighbor named Patricia for basic care. When SOS learned that Patricia was providing full-time support without compensation, we connected her to information which allowed her to explore becoming Mary’s paid In-Home Supportive Service (IHSS) caregiver. Now Mary gets consistent professional care, and Patricia receives proper recognition for her selfless dedication.

These stories illustrate what our Client Services Manager, Jenna Barroso, calls “the power of the right connection.” As Jenna explains, “Many seniors don’t know what help exists or how to access it. When we personally connect them to services like transportation assistance, in-home care, or utility aid, it can completely transform their quality of life.”

The process begins with our careful assessments—regular check-ins that support nutritional needs and beyond. “We look at the whole picture,” says Client Services Manager, Tammy Duran. “Is the home safe? Are there transportation barriers? Could they benefit from social programs? These conversations help us spot needs before they become crises.” And because our clients trust SOS, they are not afraid to ask for help and follow through on our referrals to local respected resources.

Clients can request information and help anytime—whether during driver visits, phone calls to our office, or their regular assessments. Some clients, like Phillis, become so grateful for the support that they pay it forward. After receiving meals and critical referrals, this 73-year-old Hayward resident donated incontinence supplies for other others in need, despite her own limited income.

We are proud to embrace this standard—of providing so much more than a meal. We want more than to see our older neighbors nourished—we want to see them empowered. By combining nutritious meals with personal attention and wraparound care, we create a safety net that helps older adults navigate aging’s challenges while staying in the homes they love. Because when seniors have the right support system, they thrive.