TITLE
Recommendation to request the Senior Citizen Advisory Commission to create a report to review and explore the costs of restoring the former senior food programs and to discuss the connection to transportation, specifically related to any major changes that would have interrupted access from senior communities to former food program locations in the city; and
Request City Manager to provide a verbal report back at a Council meeting in a presentation no later than 90 days regarding the senior meal program. Grant opportunities should be explored along with the possibility of the Health Department collaborating or leading the work since this is truly a health related issue.
DISCUSSION
Our Senior and Older Adult populations need new and creative avenues for park programming and activities that include access to healthy and nutritious foods. Many of our older adult populations either do not have convenient access to healthy food options or have grown concerned with the lack of healthy activities at our parks for seniors. In addition, District One residents have grown concerned with Long Beach Transit bus routes being cut or increasing in price over the last few years.
Approximately three and half years ago the Senior Lunch program was implemented through a contract with the County of Los Angeles and administered by the non-profit Human Services Association (HSA) for the City of Long Beach and supervised by our Parks, Recreation and Marine Department.
Due to an increase in the cost to provide meals by HAS and the lack of attendance at specific locations in the city the program was discontinued including Chavez Park. For this program the City does not provide any financial support for the program and seniors are asked to donate $2.25 for the meal but are not required to. No one is turned away for lack of funds.
The following locations provide senior meals:
• The Senior Center - CD 2
• EI Dorado Park West - CD 5
• McBride Park - CD 6
• Houghton Par...
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