San Andreas, CA…Mark Twain Medical Center and the MTMC Foundation are working to assure that vulnerable seniors continue receiving nutritious meals during the COVID-19 crisis. Popular Senior Meals Program sites operated by MTMC’s Nutrition Services Department in conjunction with an Area 12 Agency on Aging Grant closed in March due to mandated social distancing. MTMC Nutrition Services staff has prepared food for the dining sites in the communities of Burson and Murphys for nearly two years.

With the sites now closed, they have shifted to preparing meals for home-bound seniors and the Foundation is raising funds to sustain the effort.

Michael Helwig, MTMC Director of Nutrition Services, explains, “We know that some 72 percent of Calaveras County seniors are considered geographically isolated and many are food insecure. At this critical time, now more than ever, our mission to serve those who are especially vulnerable really does reach beyond these hospital walls.”

The new approach involves delivering packaged meals to the Murphys Senior Center, which has a network of volunteers who make weekly food deliveries. Each package consists of a hot meal, several shelf staple meals and cold breakfasts.

Foundation members are actively raising funds to offset meal costs with the Senior Meal Fund, which is helping strike a balance between food security and COVID-19 prevention.

Dining sites averaged 125-150 meals a week prior to COVID-19 impacts. Home delivery has increased the weekly demand by over 1400% to 1200+ meals weekly. Each weekly delivery now averages just under $10 because of ever-increasing food and packaging costs. A grant funded through the Area 12 Agency on Aging provides $5.49 per meal.

Sal LoFranco and John Elliot, who both serve on the organizing committee for the Foundation’s annual Doris Barger Golf Outing at Greenhorn Creek, kicked off the fundraising effort by reaching out to fellow golf enthusiasts. To date they have raised more than $7,000!

LoFranco explains, “We’re asking Greenhorn Creek members to consider a financial gift to the Foundation’s Senior Meal Fund and reach out to their friends and neighbors for their support. A gift of $25 would cover the shortfall for one meal each for five seniors a week. We’re hoping the entire Calaveras community will rally for this effort.”

Donations for the Senior Meals Fund or the Foundation’s Emergency Preparedness Fund can be sent to the MTMC Foundation at 768 Mountain Ranch Road, San Andreas CA 95249 or online at http://www.supportmarktwain.org/

(Photo Caption) MTMC Nutrition Services staff package senior meals for home delivery.