PLACENTIA : Council Adds to Pot to Feed the Elderly

The City Council has voted to contribute an additional $8,000 to a financially strapped program that provides meals for the elderly.

The contribution, approved unanimously this week, will help cover rising costs of the Feedback Foundation’s TLC Nutrition Program. The foundation provides meals for about 35 senior citizens five days a week at the Kraemer Clubhouse, 116 N. Walnut Ave.

Placentia has contributed $4,500 in city revenues annually toward the program for the past 15 years. Another $35,600 a year comes from a federal grant and senior contributions. For the past few years, the city, federal grant and individual contributions in Placentia have remained about $40,109, while the cost of the program has risen to about $48,000.

“The federal money has not been increasing in the last eight years, and we are dealing with increased costs,” said Shirley A. Cohen, the executive director of the Feedback Foundation, which is based in Anaheim.

The Feedback Foundation is asking for similar contributions in 13 other cities. The cost of the shortfall was proportionately distributed among the cities.

Although Mayor Pro Tem John O. Tynes voted for the program, he had reservations about the additional expenditure.

“I’m not opposed to feeding the elderly, but this is a pretty expensive meal,” he said.

Still, council members agreed that the service was well used and well needed in Placentia.

“There are tough times ahead,” Councilwoman Maria Moreno said. “These people are going to be hit the most because they are not only elderly but they are also low-income.”