Contract renewed for senior nutrition program
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

It's been a year since Senior Concerns began providing meals to needy older residents of Thousand Oaks. The program is considered a success, and the Thousand Oaks City Council recently approved a new contract for Senior Concerns to continue operating the Senior Nutrition Program for another year.

"The seniors who are receiving the meals are very happy and that's the most important thing," said Senior Concerns President Sandra Bishop.

Last year Senior Concerns took over the operation of the program from Ventura County after the county's budget crisis threatened to halt the service. To rein in its deficit, the county asked cities to take on the day-to-day operation of each congregate meal site. Until then, county staff had cooked, delivered and served the meals. The county still pays for and delivers the food, but cities now prepare and serve it.

"The feedback I've gotten is that there was a transition and that all of the kinks have been worked out," Bishop said.

In Thousand Oaks, the program is a group effort, according to associate analyst Francine Sprigel. Conejo Recreation & Park District provides the meal site; Senior Concerns does the cooking and serving; and the city manages a federal grant of nearly $16,000 provided through the county that partially pays for the program.

Another $20,000 comes from suggested donations of a couple of dollars per meal from each program participant. Until now the county retained those donations. Under restructuring, cities will use those donations for site coordination.

The money completely covers the program's costs, Sprigel said.

The food itself has changed as well. Instead of the pre-packaged fare that resembled meals served on airlines, food is now served as individual helpings spooned out "family-style," according to Bishop.

About 40 to 50 meals are served Monday through Friday at the Goebel Center. For many seniors, it's their only hot meal of the day and an important socialization outlet.

"The last I heard, the number of people receiving meals has increased, which shows the success of the program," Bishop said.

For details on the meal program, call (805) 497-0159.