Thank you to the Valley Interfaith Council for their perseverance in serving over 513,000 meals during this pandemic and congratulations for receiving the Daily News 2020 Readers Choice Award!
VIC Continues to Serve Up Senior Meals with Care
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there are many frontline workers who continue to provide essential services to the public. The Valley InterCommunity Council (VIC) is one such organization. VIC operates wellness and congregate meal lunch programs at the Robert M. Wilkinson Multipurpose Senior Center in Northridge and other sites across the San Fernando Valley.
Due to COVID closures, March 13th was the last day that Older Adults were able to congregate for lunch at the Wilkinson Center. However, in recognition of the ongoing need, VIC took swift action, literally overnight, to transform this site and five other congregate meal locations in Council District 12 into “Grab-n-Go” sites, allowing for meal pickup with distancing mandates to ensure safety.
As food insecurity needs grew and the numbers of COVID-19 cases increased, the program again transformed, this time to a Homebound Meal model, where meals are safely delivered by volunteers to each participating senior’s doorstep. Between their regular meal program and additional City funding, VIC has continued to fill the growing need for Older Adults who are in desperate need of food.
In April, VIC served more than 7,300 meals per month. That number has nearly doubled each month, with VIC serving a whopping 28,390 meals in the month of June alone! Filling this enormous need truly takes a village, with City volunteers, including CD12 staff, stepping in to help deliver meals on a weekly basis. CD12 sends our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the entire VIC team for working so hard during these difficult times to ensure our Valley seniors receive the support and care they deserve. For questions about the senior meal program, please contact 818-882-1212.