SENIORS LIVING IN CONTRA COSTA COUNTY — not unlike other older individuals across the country — are facing new challenges this fall: How to find nutritional meals that are no longer delivered to their homes.
This is because Meals on Wheels Diablo Region is in the process of exploring solutions to support its “Breakfast Bag” program, which ended in October due to federal funding cuts. The loss of aid reportedly caused a $750,000 shortfall for the organization.
The Breakfast Bags were part of a popular and much-needed program that served more than 500 residents, 60 and older, who relied on the morning staples; more than half of them had this service in addition to other daily meals they also received.
It was essential to their nutritional health and daily life, said Meals on Wheels spokesperson Skylar Schaefer. The 50-year-old nonprofit jumped into action knowing how this could impact their clients.
“The very first thing we did … we told them, ‘the Breakfast Bag is ending, let’s get you signed up for our home-delivered meals,’ to make sure they’re still receiving nutrition,” Schaefer said.
Established during the pandemic
Food assistance Programs
For families or individuals who need assistance getting food, there are several programs within Contra Costa County dedicated to helping those struggling with food insecurity.
- Food Bank Contra Costa & Solano — 4010 Nelson Ave., Concord. (925) 676-7543
- White Pony Express — 2470 Bates Ave., Concord. (925) 322-0604
- Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa — 510 Garcia Ave., Unit H, Pittsburg. (925) 293-4792
Additionally, students can contact their schools or their district offices to see if there is an available food pantry on campus.
— Mischa Caluma, Contra Costa Youth Journalism
The Breakfast Bag program launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to support older and vulnerable adults who could be negatively affected by the pandemic. The Breakfast Bags were supported through Contra Costa County funding and pandemic relief dollars. However, due to the fast growth of the program and lack of federal funding, it had to shut down. Home-delivery meals are Meals on Wheels’ top priority, so they had to move a lot of funding from Breakfast Bags to their main meal program.
Ethel Brotten was one of the seniors who used to receive the morning food. The 84-year-old Martinez woman said she used to eat something early, but now only eats later in the day, having to skip breakfast. She said receiving a morning bag helped her make sure she got a good start to her day.
“I am a diabetic also, so making sure that I get my meals helps me during the day … without, it holds me back, it pulls me back because I am not as consistent because I do not have that cereal,” Brotten said.
Another challenge Brotten faces is going to the grocery store. She uses a walker to get around and when using a motorized shopping cart, its small basket size doesn’t allow her to get all the things she needs. She now only relies on the lunch and dinner delivery from Meals on Wheels.
Schaefer said the program funding cut also has decreased the number of people they can serve.
“We are seeing a growing wait list for the first time in years,” she explained. “So, we’re working to address that need.”
Volunteers worry for their clients
Schaefer said that on a positive note, the wait list for volunteers is growing. She said the individuals who deliver meals to residents throughout the county are “the backbone” of the organization.
“Community support is important to us,” she added.
Volunteer Gayle Jackson said she was worried about the clients following the breakfast cuts and the nutritious food she would deliver.
“It’s really sad because these people kinda become your friends. You’re worried for some reason you’re skipping them. … Why aren’t they on my list this week?”
Gayle Jackson, Meals on Wheels volunteer
“It’s really sad because these people kinda become your friends,” Jackson said. “You’re worried for some reason you’re skipping them. You’re like, are they in the hospital? Did something happen …? Why aren’t they on my list this week?”
Despite its current challenge to again provide a third meal to its clients, Schaefer said Meals on Wheels is looking to bring back a similar program in the future.
This story is part of a series reporting on the challenges nonprofit organizations in Contra Costa County face as changes in federal laws and policies go into effect. The series was made possible by support from the Lesher Foundation, its Newsmakers speaker series, and the Bay City News Foundation. Stories are produced independently by the CCYJ news team.
Jayden Mckenzie is an 11th grader at Deer Valley High School in Antioch and a CCYJ reporter. This story originally appeared in CCSpin.