MOM Delivers for Seniors
When 83-year-old Alice was a child, she lived near a grove of apple trees in Minnesota and her supply of fresh apples was abundant. Steamed apples with cinnamon were her favorite dessert.
As a homebound senior in San Diego County, her access to fresh apples and other produce has been limited. Many older adults find themselves in a similar situation unable to get to the grocery store or local farmers markets.
Now thanks to the County-coordinated More on the Menu (MOM) program, Alice and her fellow homebound seniors are able to enjoy regular deliveries of fresh produce.
“Seniors like Alice grew up appreciating the taste and health benefits of fresh produce and have been hampered because of cost or an inability to shop,” said Pam Smith, director of the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency Aging & Independence Services. “Thankfully, MOM can fill an important nutritional gap for them with the help of community support.”
MOM provides fresh fruits and vegetables to low-income seniors currently receiving home-delivered meals from the County’s contracted nutrition providers. The program has making the deliveries for a year and recently expanded service to nearly 250 homebound clients across the county.
MOM is part of the County’s Live Well, San Diego! initiative to ensure that San Diego County residents of all ages have the ability to lead a healthy lifestyle.
The program is funded completely by community donations and as funding increases, more seniors will receive the service. All contributions go directly for the purchase and delivery of fresh produce. The County covers all administrative costs.
To support MOM, visit www.GiveToMOM.org.