SOS Meals on Wheels says it delivers more than 520,000 freshly prepared meals a year to about 3,000 older adults in Alameda County. Its routes cover the Interstate 880 corridor, including Oakland, San Leandro, Hayward, Union City, Newark and Fremont, The Oaklandside reports.
Who it serves
The program is open to any homebound adult 60 or older, with no income requirement. One client, 70-year-old Lloyd Potter, lost his sight a year ago and could no longer shop or cook. He told The Oaklandside that the meals helped him recover from anemia and freed up money for rent and medicine.
"For 50% of the clients that we serve, the delivery driver that comes to their door is the only in-person interaction that they have on any given day," an SOS Meals on Wheels leader told the outlet.
Growing need
Feeding America counted some 886,000 food-insecure California seniors in 2024. The Oaklandside says that number has likely risen as food prices climbed and SNAP benefits were cut. About 380,000 adults 60 or older live in Alameda County, a figure expected to near 500,000 by 2035.
SOS recently launched an Additional Meal Pack program, funded by the county's Measure W sales tax, to give extra meals to clients who need them most. The group has 64 staff members and leans on about 200 volunteers a week who pick up coolers at hubs around the county. In the Tri-City area, volunteers deliver 99% of meals. The organization's site lists volunteer shifts and donation options.