Last year, 30,151 meals were served through the Tehama County Community Action Agency Senior Nutrition Program.
But getting that many meals on the plates of Tehama County seniors can be challenging, especially with little monetary backing. Juanita Rajanen, the program’s nutrition coordinator, says the program has seen years of funding cuts.
“Currently I have a waiting list of about 35 seniors, waiting for home delivered meals, but we just don’t have the funds to feed them. And so they wait,” Rajanen said.
Those enrolled in the delivery program receive one meal a day. They must be at least 60 years of age and unable to drive. Rajanen says in addition to the 90 home-delivered meals served each day, the program also serves about 50 meals at sites in Red Bluff and Corning for seniors who can travel. She says most people aren’t aware of the program’s high demand. And with a lack in funding the program relies heavily on community support.
“I didn’t know before I started doing this just what a great need there is out there for seniors, and that family … sometimes they don’t have family close by to help out and so they really need our help,” Rajanen said.
The Community Action Agency will be holding a spaghetti dinner and dessert auction tonight for the program. It will be at the Red Bluff Community Center on South Jackson Street. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Dinner starts at 6 p.m.