California launches meal delivery service for senior citizens isolated at home

Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new initiative to help senior citizens that are isolated at home. Restaurants Deliver: Home Meals for Seniors is the name of the program that is mainly funded by FEMA. The goal is to provide assistance to seniors who live alone and socially isolated.

The program will hire local, independent restaurants to prepare and deliver three meals a day, seven days a week. The restaurants will get reimbursed for every meal that’s prepared and delivered. What’s even more important about the program is that the meals are healthy. There will be no high fructose corn syrup or sugary drinks. There will be vegetable and fruit requirements with each meal.

To be eligible for the program, the resident must be 65 or older, have been exposed or are at high risk of exposure to the coronavirus, or who have compromised immune systems. Individuals must also earn less than $75,000 per year. According to Governor Newsom, there are approximately 1.2 million California residents that will be eligible for the program.