Published by the City of San Jose, Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services on June 10, 2021.

Sourcewise, an organization based in Santa Clara County, provides services, education and support to older adults and their caregivers.

One of their food service partners, the Great Plates Delivered (GPD) Program, (a temporary emergency food program in response to COVID-19) partners with local, minority-owned restaurants to help older adults gain access to meal delivery services. The purpose of this program is to ensure that older Californians who meet the eligibility requirements are getting prepared meals delivered to their homes while they are under the stay-at-home order or unable to provide meals on their own. GPD has continued to be an essential food resource to adults 65+ in Santa Clara County.
Great Plates Delivered offers nutritious, hot meals to homebound seniors who are unable to access food or cook for themselves. 

These food service programs and interested participants require the work of staff and volunteers to ensure operations run smoothly and those in need of food resources can receive assistance.

Multiple individuals from the City of San José Office of Emergency Services have volunteered with the Sourcewise GPD program as Intake Specialists, performing essential tasks to facilitate communication between Sourcewise and their program partners, ensure accuracy of client data and prioritize exceptional customer service and support.

Specific responsibilities of Intake Specialists include collecting eligibility and contact information from community members interested in the GPD program, informing individuals of program guidelines and eligibility requirements, and ensuring information is secured and accurately shared with key program partners to successfully deliver meals from restaurants to qualifying individuals.

Marjorie Kondo, Great Plates Delivered Supervisor, explains the importance of these Intake Specialists to the program.

“The Great Plates Delivered Program team at Sourcewise is incredibly grateful for the commitment and hard work of these volunteers, who wholeheartedly contribute to the continuing success of the program,” said Kondo. “Without their help and efforts, we would not have been able to ramp up the program as quickly and effectively as required when the program launched a year ago, nor would the administration and maintenance of this program be as organized and stable as it is today.”

Through the hard work and dedication of these volunteers, our #SiliconValleyStrongHeroes continue to be an integral part in providing so many of our senior community members with meals and assistance through the Great Plates Delivered Program at Sourcewise.

For older adults who still require meal delivery assistance, consider an alternative program Meals on Wheels. For more information, please visit SCC-MealsonWheels.

For seniors who are not homebound but are in need of meals, The Senior Nutrition Program offers to-go meals at multiple community center locations throughout San Jose to adults 60+. For more information and a list of locations, visit SJ-OlderAdults.

View the full article here: sanjoseca.gov/Home/Components/News