San Mateo County To Continue Funding Food Insecurity Program

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — San Mateo County will continue to serve participants of its Great Plates Delivered program, allocating federal COVID-19 stimulus funds to continue to address food insecurity after federal support for the program ends on July 9.

More than 4,600 clients were served by the program with nearly 2.7 million meals delivered during the pandemic. At a board meeting on Tuesday, the county’s Board of Supervisors approved approximately $4 million to continue serving clients.

Up to $2.55 million will be allocated to support Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, a food bank which will help deliver groceries to Great Plates participants. Nearly $2 million per year will go to expand the Home Delivered Meals program over the next two fiscal years, specifically to help senior nutrition providers serve homebound participants who are unable to prepare meals.

“We have a moral obligation to protect and serve the needs of our most vulnerable, and feeding them is a great starting point,” Board of Supervisors President David Canepa said in a news release.

The Great Plates program pumped $59 million back into the local economy, according to the county, with 84 restaurants participating in the program.

Lisa Mancini, director of the county’s aging and adult services division — which manages the Great Plates Delivered program — said the county is stepping up to fill a real need as those dealing with food insecurity need help recovering from the pandemic.

“Great Plates Delivered was a real lifeline during a very difficult time,” Mancini said, “and now we are looking to the next phase of local, targeted relief to people continue to be in need.”

Those who are currently in the program will be contacted by the county staff or Second Harvest Food Bank for more information and those who are not enrolled can contact the Aging and Adult Services helpline at 1-800-675-8437.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2021, about 42 million Americans may not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.