The San Francisco County government meeting held on July 4, 2025, focused on a significant resolution regarding the amendment of a grant agreement with the nonprofit organization Self Help for the Elderly. The primary agenda item was to approve a third amendment to the existing grant, which aims to enhance the Home Delivered Meal Nutrition Services for older adults.

The resolution proposes an increase of approximately $2 million to the grant, bringing the total funding to around $11.5 million. This amendment is set to take effect upon approval, with the grant period remaining unchanged from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2025. Tiffany Kearney, the lead nutritionist for the Department of Disability and Aging Services (DAS), presented the case for this amendment, highlighting the critical role Self Help for the Elderly plays in providing essential nutrition services to the senior population in San Francisco.

Kearney noted that the additional funding would support approximately 82,500 more meals over the next fiscal year, reflecting a significant increase in service levels. The organization has seen a dramatic rise in the number of meals provided, serving over 71,000 meals to more than 1,100 clients, compared to just 400 clients in fiscal year 2018-2019. This increase is attributed to the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the growing senior population, particularly among Asian American and Pacific Islander (API) communities.

The meeting also addressed the importance of food security among seniors, with recent reports indicating that food insecurity rates have risen among participants in city-funded programs. However, those involved in home-delivered meal programs, such as the one provided by Self Help for the Elderly, experience lower rates of food insecurity. Kearney emphasized the compliance and quality assurance measures in place to ensure the health and safety of clients, including nutrition assessments and food safety monitoring.

Nick Menard from the Budget Legislative Analyst Office confirmed that the amendment would add $1.9 million to the grant agreement, with no changes to the grant term. He noted that the funding is essential for increasing nutrition assistance for the current and upcoming fiscal years.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the county's commitment to supporting its aging population through enhanced nutrition services, addressing the growing needs of seniors in the community, and ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the necessary support to combat food insecurity. The resolution is expected to be a crucial step in maintaining and expanding these vital services.