MISSION VIEJO : $12,900 Donation to Meal Service Urged

The city staff has recommended donating $12,900 to a financially strapped, nonprofit group that serves meals to the elderly throughout South County.

But officials of the group, South County Senior Services, say the money is about $4,000 short of what is needed to keep the program running until June 30.

Marilyn Ditty, executive director of the San Clemente-based organization, said the amount recommended by staff was “not enough. I’m very disappointed to hear about their decision. They know we don’t have any other source to make up the money.”

The group provides low-cost meals to South County’s senior citizens under contract to the county.

However, with the number of seniors served at the community center increasing from 40 to 60 daily, South County Senior Services officials say they have run out of money until their county contract is renewed next month.

The group had told the City Council on April 30 that they would need $17,198 to keep the program operating. Other cities, including Laguna Niguel and Newport Beach, contribute to the program.

Wayne Lowery, director of parks and recreation for Mission Viejo, recommended that the council contribute according to the number of city residents who use the program.

“We will have to send letters of appeal,” Ditty said. “As a nonprofit organization, we don’t have reserves we can tap for these programs.”