Alameda County Board of Supervisors Allocates Emergency Food Funding for Seniors

On November 28th, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors responded swiftly and boldly to the hunger crisis in Alameda County by earmarking $1.7M exclusively for senior meals. This allocation is part of a larger $10M investment in food security that is related to Measure W. The special $1.7M allocation will be distributed among the county’s senior nutrition programs, including congregate dining programs such as those found at senior centers and home-delivered meal programs like ours.  

At SOS Meals on Wheels, we are already experiencing increased calls for meal deliveries and are planning ways to deliver additional meals to our current clients who are impacted by federal cuts. Alameda County residents are facing significant reductions to SNAP and MediCal, but traditional supports from the emergency food system are not designed for older adults. Whereas many emergency aid efforts at this moment are focused on food banks and community pantries, homebound seniors—often limited by mobility and illness—are far less likely to be able to access these resources.  

We would like to thank the Board of Supervisors for sharing in our vision. Ensuring that no senior in Alameda County goes hungry means investing in solutions designed for their specific needs.  

"I am always glad to be of service to Alameda County aging adults, especially when it comes to food justice," said Nate Miley, County Supervisor for District 4. 

Key issues for the seniors we serve include:  

  • Access to food distribution sites among a population that no longer drives, has limited access to transportation, can’t be asked to stand in line for long periods of time, and may not be able to carry bags and boxes of food back to their homes.  

  • Inability to prepare meals using raw ingredients due to physical or cognitive issues, which renders many items received at food pantries a poor fit. The fresh and frozen meals we deliver are designed to be easily and quickly ready for seniors to enjoy. 

  • A need for proper nutrition. Seniors often need fewer calories but more nutrients like protein, fiber and vitamins. Protein is too often substituted for more inexpensive calories when food budgets get tight; however, adequate dietary protein is the main preventative factor for muscle loss and maintaining independence later in life. Items distributed at food pantries sometimes fall outside of the recommended diet for older citizens. 

The aforementioned funding will go far in helping us respond to the current emergency, yet our sights are set on greater sustainability overall. The senior population in Alameda County is growing faster than any other age group, with the most significant growth expected among those 85 and older. Ensuring that our services are available for every one of our older neighbors who needs us means growing our funding base in a way that keeps pace with a long-term increase in need.  

Do you know of someone who could use our meal delivery? SOS Meals on Wheels is actively accepting new clients who qualify for our services. Eligible seniors are:  

  • 60 years of age or older 

  • Unable to shop for food or prepare meals for themselves  

  • Do not receive help from a reliable caregiver 

 Please call (510)-582-1263 for more information or visit us at https://www.sosmow.org.

Who is eligible for Meals on Wheels? If you would like to help ensure no senior in Alameda County is hungry, click here to get involved.

Tessa Baxter