Senator Scott Wiener announces a total of $2 Million he secured in the state budget for Meals on Wheels San Francisco and Mission Food Hub.

On July 21, Meals on Wheels San Francisco was honored to join Mission Food Hub and State Senator Scott Wiener for a press conference announcing $2 million in state funding that he was able to secure in the state budget for both organizations.

In all, Senator Wiener paved the way for $1 million for Mission Food Hub’s operations and he secured $1 million for Meals on Wheels for a backup generator needed for its new kitchen and food distribution center in The Sangiacomo Flynn Building in Bayview.

The generator will keep meals fresh and chilled, along with operations going uninterrupted in case the City experiences a power outage. Ashley McCumber, CEO and Executive Director of Meals on Wheels San Francisco, and Home-Delivered Groceries volunteer Santosh Pappu, addressed the media and audience at the press conference which was held at Mission Food Hub’s headquarters in SF.

“In the past several years, during the region’s fires season, we have been called upon to distribute both shelf-stable and prepared meals,” said Ashley McCumber.

“During the Pandemic, we have provided other Meals on Wheels programs with prepared meals when their kitchens had to close due to a COVID outbreak. We are now working to assist other meals programs that have outgrown their kitchens and need additional assistance to meet the need to serve more clients.

What we’ve long known, but what became clear during the pandemic, is that there are many more people living on the fringes – hovering between going without a meal or scraping by with minimal and often-times, unhealthy food options. During emergencies, food insecurity and hunger are exacerbated and that means a senior cannot wait for the emergency to end to receive a nutritious meal. Our kitchen must continue to run, especially during emergencies and that is why this generator is so important to us and for the thousands of seniors who rely on us for their meals.

I want to thank Senator Wiener, our City leaders, and the people of San Francisco and beyond for their support of us and more importantly, their support in ensuring older San Franciscans never go hungry.”

During the press conference, Senator Wiener also announced the inclusion of a bill he wrote, SB 107, into the budget to expand access to Calfresh, streamlining the application process to make it easier for seniors to apply.

Did You Know?

• In 2020, Meals on Wheels San Francisco prepared and delivered 2.4 million meals to older San Franciscans in need.
• Out of an estimated 117,000 older adults (65+) living in San Francisco, 36% live below 200% FPL, and many live on fixed incomes. (source: SF Food Security Task Force 2018 Food assessment Report)
• Approximately 75% of Meals on Wheels San Francisco recipients live on less than $1,000 a month.