Kingsburg council accepts $55,000 healthcare district grant to continue senior center hot-meal program

The Kingsburg City Council on Sept. 17 voted to accept a $55,000 grant from the Kingsburg Healthcare District to continue the Kingsburg Senior Center hot-meal program, Community Services Director Adam Casaneda told the council.

Caseneda said the city began cooking meals in-house after leaving the county-sponsored meals program and that this would be the program’s second year operating under the city’s management. “Application was submitted over the summer, and was granted by the healthcare district, for $55,000 to cover food expenses, kitchen expenses, and supplies that helped run the new program at the Kingsburg Senior Center,” Casaneda said.

The award will cover food, kitchen expenses and supplies, Casaneda said; city staff asked the council to accept the award so staff can complete the contract and begin work for the next fiscal year. Casaneda said the meals are provided free of charge, with a suggested donation; “no seniors are turned away for the inability to pay,” he said. He reported that the most recent quarter saw about 2,500 senior meal visits and said staff is estimating roughly 20,000 senior meals a year (Casenada characterized that figure as an estimate).

Council members made and seconded a motion to accept the award; the council voted in favor. The mayor called the motion passed.

The city will sign the grant contract before using the funds for the 2025–26 fiscal year, Casaneda said. Staff did not provide further details in the meeting about contract terms, reporting requirements or whether the grant will fund staff costs in addition to food and kitchen supplies.

The council’s acceptance was acted on as a single consent motion during the regular calendar; no public comments were recorded on the item.