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Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board accept a one-time Veteran Assistance Fund grant from the Veterans Affairs Commission in the total amount of $20,000 to provide meals to home-bound veterans.
FUNDING: 100% Veteran Assistance Funding received from the Veterans Affairs Commission.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
HHSA’s Senior Nutrition program is responsible for supporting the health, well-being and independence of older adults in El Dorado County who are home-bound or otherwise unable to prepare nutritious meals for themselves. As the designated Area Agency on Aging, HHSA includes home-delivered meals as a core service within its Area Plan to reduce food insecurity, promote safety at home, and ensure that vulnerable older adults receive regular wellness checks and meaningful support.
To help sustain this mission, the Senior Nutrition program applied for a one-time funding opportunity offered by the El Dorado Community Foundation (Foundation) on behalf of the El Dorado County Veterans Affairs Commission. This funding cycle was created to spend down the balance of County funds held at the Foundation.
Upon acceptance of this grant award, HHSA Senior Nutrition will receive $20,000 in one-time Veteran Assistance Funding. The grant will allow the program to deliver 1,790 nutritious meals to approximately 125 home-bound veterans aged sixty and older. Each veteran, whether temporarily or permanently unable to leave their home, will receive seven meals per week over a two-week period.
Meals will be delivered Monday through Friday by dedicated volunteers who provide not only food but also regular wellness check-ins that offer reassurance to both the veterans and their families. At a cost of $11.17 per meal, this program represents a significant investment in senior health and independence. The funding will help the County address rising program costs while ensuring that older veterans continue to have reliable access to nutritious meals and esse...
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