Councilman Mitch O’Farrell recently joined the Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund and Sustainable Economic Enterprises of Los Angeles to distribute more than 1,800 pounds of groceries to 120 households in need. (photo courtesy of the 13th District office)

Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, 13th District, has announced that the city’s Senior Meal Emergency Response Program has been extended until Feb. 28, and the city will provide help for seniors who need additional resources. 

After Safer at Home orders were implemented nearly one year ago, the city partnered with Los Angeles restaurants, hospitality businesses and franchise taxi companies to create the Senior Meal Emergency Response program. The initiative provides healthy and nutritious free meals to older adults who are at greater risk of contracting COVID-19. 

O’Farrell championed the program and expanded its reach to include a broader segment of seniors. He also helped to ensure the program was fully funded through the holidays, preventing disruptions in food delivery to more than 16,000 seniors.

As the program concludes, the Los Angeles Department of Aging will help seniors transition to other forms of food assistance. Seniors who are currently enrolled in the Senior Meal Emergency Response Program can contact the Department of Aging at (213)482-7252. Assistance is also available through the city’s Multipurpose senior centers.

The Department of Aging has also provided a list of food and grocery resources, which includes community partners St. Vincent Meals on Wheels, Project Angel Food and the L.A. Korean Corps. For information, call St. Vincent Meals on Wheels at  (213)484-7775, Project Angel Food at (323)845-1800 and the L.A. Korean Corps at (213)480-0714, ext. 4.

Additionally, O’Farrell supports a program by the Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund and Sustainable Economic Enterprises of Los Angeles to distribute groceries to households in need. That program includes weekly food distributions at O’Farrell’s field office at 1722 Sunset Blvd. in Echo Park and will continue through December. For information and to register, visit salef.org.

O’Farrell added that he plans to continue to advocate for more resources from the federal government to support efforts to help feed vulnerable seniors.

For information, visit cd13.lacity.org.