“Thank you so much!” expressed Susan (she did not disclose her last name), a long time client of AACI Senior Center and recipient of senior meals. Susan is one of many that rely on meal programs and food heroes as a consistent source of food.

These meals feed seniors and other vulnerable populations, keeping them healthy during hard times. They are a source of practical help, but also provide stability. Food heroes’ goal is to make sure that seniors are healthy both physically and mentally. For #FoodHeroes, their job is connected to the mental health of local seniors, which is a big reason many choose to help out. We all have seniors in our lives, and we want to see them healthy and happy. Having the meals is a huge relief for so many, and brings smiles to many faces.

“When the lockdown order was first implemented,” said San Jose-resident Susan, “I was worried because I was a long-time customer of Amazon delivery from Whole Foods, but I could not get a delivery time so the Senior meal program was doubly important.”

Shelter-in-place changed life across the country, and Susan had to deal with these changes, especially as food and meals became harder to get. Our #SiliconValleyStrong #FoodHeroes stepped in to help her out. They provide regular meals to those who need it.

Meals on Wheels is distributing about 5,071 meals a day, and City of San José and the other County Senior Nutrition Program (SNP) sites distribute 4,497 a day. These meals go to people like Susan, and help keep their families healthy and happy.

Susan adds that her “husband… loves the nutritious meals and it is very helpful for us not to go out shopping for food during this high risk time.”

Food heroes are not just providing meals to people, they are feeding people’s happiness. During nationwide isolation, keeping people happy is an essential part of the Food Hero’s job. The mental health of seniors is at risk during shelter-in-place, but as Susan tells us, seniors have community-based help available to alleviate the problems they face.

Even before shelter-in-place, food heroes that worked in Meals on Wheels, San José Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services SNP, and other senior services, played a crucial role in senior’s socialization. Seniors became friends with the workers, and continue to find a source of friendship and assistance. During May, National Mental Health Month, remember seniors, like Susan, who are also dealing with the isolation of shelter-in-place, and of course, don’t forget the food heroes who are meeting their needs. The meals they serve keep the vulnerable healthy and happy.

For more information, on how you can access and find food resources in your neighborhood, visit bit.ly/SCCFoodMap. You can also visit siliconvalleystrong.org , call 2-1-1, a 24-hour multilingual service or text your zip code to “898211”.