Meals On Wheels, San Diego Food Bank Launch Grocery Delivery Program For Homebound Seniors

SAN DIEGO, CA — Two local nonprofits have partnered to help homebound seniors in San Diego County.

Meals on Wheels San Diego County and the San Diego Food Bank have launched a grocery delivery program for homebound seniors.

Currently, Meals on Wheels San Diego County delivers up to two meals per day. The new "Groceries on the Go" program supplements the meals already delivered by Meals on Wheels volunteers, bringing perishable and shelf-stable groceries directly to seniors' doors.

This pilot program will support up to 500 households each month across the East County, North County, South County, and San Diego metro areas.

"It's no secret that this past year brought funding uncertainties for nonprofits across the country, especially those addressing food and nutrition insecurity," said Brent Wakefield, president and CEO of Meals on Wheels San Diego County. "We faced challenges but remained resilient. This year, it's all about collaboration, not competition, to help the most vulnerable in our community: homebound seniors."

The program is available to new and existing Meals on Wheels San Diego County clients who already receive home-delivered meals and demonstrate a need for additional grocery support. The new program goes beyond food delivery, providing daily human connection, support and stability for seniors who might otherwise be isolated, according to Meals on Wheels San Diego County.

"Through the 'Groceries on the Go' program, we'll go beyond our traditional model of delivering prepared meals to provide perishable and shelf-stable groceries that will supplement other meals, giving our seniors more opportunities to live a nutritious and independent lifestyle, even if they can't leave home to shop for the groceries they need," Wakefield said.