The Orange County Board of Commissioners voted 6-0 on Aug. 26 to authorize a two-week transition period during which the Aging Services department will move homebound clients who had been receiving takeout lunches from senior centers onto Orange County Meals on Wheels deliveries.

Why it matters: The county's takeout lunches, implemented during COVID, had continued as an option for senior center participants and included some homebound recipients who relied on friends or family to pick up and deliver meals. County staff and Meals on Wheels representatives told the board that the non-profit can provide five-day-per-week deliveries and shelf-stable backups for bad weather while guaranteeing continuity of meals for genuinely homebound residents.

Board discussion and staff explanation: Aging Services staff reported about 41 daily takeaway meals across centers and identified roughly eight people who are homebound and rely on deliveries. Commissioners and staff discussed concerns that some people who pick up meals and bring them to others may be mischaracterized as homebound; staff noted the need to verify homebound status and to have direct outreach, saying county staff had attached information in recent mailings for clients to contact Meals on Wheels.

Board action: Commissioners approved a motion to allow the aging director to spend two weeks transitioning identified homebound clients to Orange County Meals on Wheels and to coordinate logistics so no homebound person loses service. Commissioners asked staff to verify homebound status, coordinate with Meals on Wheels to enroll clients, and provide follow-up updates to the board.

What changed and next steps: During the two-week window, county staff will continue daily carry-out service while Meals on Wheels completes enrollment and route planning so that the nonprofit provides regular deliveries. Aging staff and Meals on Wheels will work to ensure clients who prefer minimal contact can still receive meals (for example, meals left in a cooler on a porch). Staff will report back to the board on the transition and on any outstanding clients who cannot be served by Meals on Wheels.

Ending note: Commissioners said the county's primary goal is to avoid a hard stop for homebound residents and to guarantee continuity of nutrition services while transitioning administrative responsibility to Meals on Wheels.