Kraft Gift to Boost Seniors’ Holiday Meals

Ventura County’s Senior Nutrition Program will be able to serve more meals this holiday season as a result of a new partnership between the National Meals on Wheels Foundation and Kraft Foods, the Camarillo-based organization has announced.

Kraft donated $500,000 to help senior groups nationwide prepare holiday meals.

Locally, the partnership means the Senior Nutrition Program will receive $200 that will enable volunteers to serve about 66 more meals than last year. Half of those are expected to go to home-bound seniors through the Meals on Wheels Program.

Because the Area Agency on Aging sponsors meals on Thanksgiving and Christmas, Meals on Wheels and the Senior Nutrition Action Council plan to provide food the day after the holidays when most food pantries and agencies are closed.

Program Director Violet Henry estimates the groups will serve about 250 meals on the days after Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year’s.

The Senior Nutrition Program serves meals daily to about 500 county residents ages 60 and older. Meals are served at 17 dining centers from Simi Valley to Ventura. An additional 500 lunches are served to seniors unable to leave their homes.

To inquire about receiving meals or giving donations, call 388-4317.