More Funding Sought for Meals on Wheels

Last year, the Meals on Wheels program served nearly 34,000 meals in the East Valley.

And that wasn’t enough.

Councilman Mike Feuer will meet with representatives of the Meals on Wheels program, the city Department of Aging and nutrition experts today to explore ways to get more food to more homebound seniors.

The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. in the Valley Storefront, 12821 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood.

Sponsored by the city’s Arts, Health and Humanities Committee, the meeting will provide a forum for experts to discuss changing eligibility requirements for home-delivered meals and ways to obtain more funds to help a growing population of residents who are already qualified.

“There’s a growing need for [these] meals and there is not necessarily sufficient resources to meet those needs,” said Daniel Hinerfeld, an aide to Feuer.

According to the city’s Department of Aging, 33,928 meals were delivered to homes in the East Valley last year, but many more meals are needed. That number does not include meals served by the program at senior centers throughout the region.

“Every day there are senior citizens around this city who don’t have enough to eat,” Feuer said in a written statement. “That’s not acceptable.”

The increasing number of needy seniors is due partly to an aging population. The second major reason, according to Feuer, is the way the Meals on Wheels program is funded. The state uses a formula that restricts transferring funds from meals served at senior centers to meals delivered to homes.

Feuer said more has to be done for those who cannot leave home.

The meeting will conclude with a town hall discussion of seniors’ issues.

For more information, call the Valley Storefront at (818) 984-1380.