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CalOptima issues $8 million in emergency funding for hungry seniors, low-income households
Many households are worried about whether they will run out of food this month, experts say.
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Caroline Attwood
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Yamtono Sardi/Getty Images/iStockphoto
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Some CalFresh recipients in Orange County are expected to get $25 dollar grocery cards later this month as part of an emergency move to get food assistance into the hands of needy families.
The backstory
The cards will come from CalOptima Health, which provides health care to low income individuals in Orange County. CalOptima set aside $8 million for urgent assistance and will give it to about 200,000 clients who are also CalFresh recipients. The funding comes as the future of federal food assistance benefits remains unclear amid the U.S. government shutdown.
“This will be most helpful right now,” said Michael Hunn, CEO of CalOptima Health.
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“We didn’t want to wait” until the political wrangling in Washington, D.C., comes to an end, he said, adding: “People can’t wait.”
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Where is the money going?
The CalOptima Health board granted $1.5 million each to Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County and Community Action Partnership Orange County, organizations that distribute 65 million pounds of food a year to food banks, senior centers, shelters and other places that assist those in need. (Hunn said he hopes the donation will inspire others — be they businesses, agencies, or individuals — to also find a way to support the food banks.)
The additional $5 million in grocery flex cards will be issued to CalFresh recipients — many of whom are seniors, and families with children.
What’s next
CalFresh recipients in Orange County should be on the lookout for $25 grocery flex cards expected to be issued later this month. The flex cards should hit mailboxes sometime after the middle of the month, and before Thanksgiving. Cards will require members to activate them using a member I.D. — a requirement intended to fight off mailbox pirates.
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It will be up to Orange County how to spend the proceeds.
Food bank officials said their share of the funding would be put to immediate use.
“The food banks support close to 500 pantries in the communities where people live and work,” Claudia Bonilla Keller, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank, said in a statement. “This funding will ensure that these sites have additional, nutritious food on hand during this benefits stoppage.”
Gregory C. Scott, president and CEO of Community Action Partnership of Orange County, said, “This investment directly supports our mission to end poverty by providing immediate food relief, and together we’re ensuring that no one in our county goes hungry.”
Where people can go for help
LAist has compiled a list of resources for people in Los Angeles and Orange counties: Need food assistance? Where to go when CalFresh and WIC benefits are delayed
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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