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Residents press Riverside council for district-based senior meal program after ARP grant ended
Summary
During public comment, a resident said a post-ARP senior meals program left many without lunch and urged district-based senior meal access so no older adults are turned away; council acknowledged the concern and flagged follow-up.
A member of the public told the Riverside City Council on June 10 that an older-adult meal program funded by ARP grants ended in 2023 and left many seniors without access to lunch.
The commenter said more than 230 people registered for the program in a recent cycle but only 230 meals were available, leaving dozens — "15, 20 personas" — without lunch. She urged the council and district offices to ensure each council district offers senior meal access so older residents do not have to travel or be denied services.
The speaker framed the issue as a recurring request since the ARP-funded program ended in 2023 and asked the council to consider district-based distribution so seniors are not turned away. No staff response with budget or program details was presented during the public comment; councilmembers acknowledged hearing the concern and directed staff follow-up.
The matter was raised during the public-comment portion of the meeting; council staff and district offices are expected to follow up with the commenter to clarify what program options and funding would be required to restore or redesign senior meal access.
