The Nevada County Board of Supervisors approved two resolutions yesterday awarding $465,000 to Interfaith Food Ministry and $350,000 to Gold County Senior Services from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to support food distribution to low-income seniors.
The grant funding will expand Gold Country Senior Services’ Meals on Wheels program to an additional 98 seniors currently on the wait list, increase from one meal to two meals per day for 600 low-income seniors and provide shelf stable meals for seniors during Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events, including seniors in the more rural areas of Nevada County. Interfaith Food Ministry will use the grant funding for the purchase of a generator to prevent food spoilage during a PSPS event and a commercial truck for food transportation.
“The CDBG grant will make an impact on our 11,000+ clients,” said Phil Alonso, Interfaith Food Ministry Executive Director. “We are using the funds in two main focus areas. First being improvements to our equipment and facility, with a refrigerated box truck and a generator for the building. Second, we’ll expand our programs with client education. We really see client education as the best way to reduce long term food insecurity. For example, one plan for the funding will be to build a commercially certified cold kitchen, for cooking classes and other educational opportunities for clients and volunteers.”
“We are thrilled and thankful for this grant in collaboration with the County of Nevada that will help provide meals to our most vulnerable seniors in our community,” added Janeth Marroletti, Gold Country Senior Services Executive Director. “Older adults who are frail, homebound and unable to prepare meals depend on the Meals on Wheels Program for their nutrition. This grant will help expand the Meals on Wheels Program to provide additional meals to seniors in need in all areas of Western Nevada County. In addition to meals, this grant will also help provide shelf-stable meals in anticipation for power outages and snow to ensure seniors will have access to food resources. Coming together to support seniors in our community is a great example of collaboration between local government and nonprofit.”
About CDBG Funding
The Health and Human Service Agency, through its Housing and Community Services Division (HCS), was awarded CDBG funding to reduce food insecurity. CDBG partners with rural cities and counties to improve the lives of their low- and moderate-income residents through the creation and expansion of community and economic development opportunities in support of livable communities.