Senior citizens in Richland County will get a needed boost amid the COVID-19 outbreak, with the County covering costs of providing more than 40,000 meals.

At its March 31 meeting, County Council approved dedicating $500,000 to food assistance programs, with $250,000 going to Senior Resources and the other half going to help low-to-moderate income individuals.

“Council wanted to take quick and decisive action to ensure we are doing what we can to assist the vulnerable people in our community,” Council Chair Paul Livingston said. “Senior Resources is providing meals to thousands of seniors across our County, and we wanted to assist in that effort.”

Senior Resources, a social services nonprofit, is using funding from the County for its Emergency Senior Nutrition Program, which started March 23. The program provides seniors with five free meals weekly on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Seniors or their caretakers can pick up the meals at one of 12 drive-through distribution sites around the County. Senior Resources has served more than 10,000 meals each week since the program began.

The $250,000 in County funding will allow Senior Resources to provide just over 40,000 meals. The funds cover costs of purchasing, preparing and distributing the food.

"When this social distancing went into place, more and more seniors became food insecure and were reaching out to us for help,” said Senior Resources Executive Director Andrew Boozer. “What the County was able to do was provide immediate nutritional assistance for seniors that keeps them well fed, encourages social distancing and provides nutritious food that will keep them out of the hospitals and relieve pressure on the health care system."

Senior Resources anticipates running the program through at least May 15. For more information on the program and how to participate, visit seniorresourcesinc.org.