Meal Provider to Seniors Asks City for $17,000 in Emergency Funds
Citing a financial crisis, a nonprofit group that provides meals for senior citizens asked the City Council on Monday for $17,000 in emergency funding.
South County Senior Services has run out of money because the group provides about 78 meals a day for seniors instead of the 40 called for in its budget, said Marilyn Ditty, the group’s executive director.
City Atty. Scott Field advised the City Council to wait until the request could be placed on the agenda for a May 14 meeting. City Manager Fred Sorsabel said his staff needs time to review the funding request.
“We would like to go over their books before we start handing out public funds,” he said.
The group contracts with the county to provide meals for senior citizens in several South County communities, including San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, Dana Point and Newport Beach.
Ditty said she has also asked city councils in several of these cities for financial help.
South County Senior Services, with an annual budget of $1 million, serves meals to senior citizens at their homes and at community centers, Ditty said.
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