California food for seniors plan could run out of money soon

 California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s first-in--nation plan to pay for and deliver three meals a day to vulnerable seniors during coronavirus crisis has less than two weeks to launch before federal funding runs out, government documents show.

It wasn’t clear how many, if any, cities and counties would be delivering meals in substantial numbers by May 10, when money from Federal Emergency Manment ncy is set to end. Also unclear is how much FEMA has budgeted for program, though it told Associated Press re is preset limit.

FEMA says it will cover three-quarters of cost of preparing and delivering food me by local restaurants, which could quickly soar into tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars in nation’s most populous state, which has 5.7 million seniors. state, cities and counties would pick up rest of cost, but local governments would also get an infusion of cash from sales taxes y collect on meals.

To keep federal money flowing, Newsom ministration must give a “detailed justification” for continuing so-called emergency feeding program, FEMA said in an April 10 letter.

“While it is anticipated that, upon successful program execution, state will request an extension, re is guarantee it will be granted,” Goverr’s Office of Emergency Services ackwledged in a planning document.

Without an extension, FEMA said it would cover costs “necessary to end se services in an orderly manner” for 15 days beyond May 10.

Brian Ferguson, a spokesman for Goverr’s Office of Emergency Services, said state h t submitted a request for an extension and would review program before deciding.

" number of meals served will depend on number of counties that decide to participate," he said in an email.

California requested program in a letter to FEMA on April 1 and got approval nine days later. Newsom didn't anunce it and provide details on its scope until two weeks later.

Newsom gave hint of tight timeframe for financing when he unveiled program Friday. Also, while predicting that over a million seniors could benefit, he didn’t illuminate a key element for qualifying for $66-a-day meals: Recipients must be unable to purchase groceries and cook mselves.

It isn’t clear how cities and counties could quickly determine who fits that criteria. y also are just beginning to figure out what restaurants would cook meals and how y would be delivered.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti spoke hopefully Monday of having first meals delivered by taxis next week, building off an existing food-delivery program. He didn’t estimate how many people could be served.

Los Angeles County, nation's largest with 10 million residents, and neighboring San Bernardi County are developing plans, with estimate for when y might be rey.

California Pizza Kitchen was among restaurants hoping to get a chance at preparing meals, calling it “exciting." But it said it was waiting for more details to determine if it would apply.

At Nightbird in San Francisco, owner Kim Alter said in an email that restaurant is “working to be a part of this.”

“ word yet as to how it will play out,” Alter said.

meal plan was anunced as Newsom and or state officials have started discussing easing stay-at-home orders imposed last month to deter spre of virus.

Newsom has said restrictions will likely last longer for people 65 and older because y are at greater risk of more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. For most people, coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough.

To be eligible for meal program, seniors must eir live alone or with one or person who is eligible. y can’t earn more than $74,940 per year, or $101,460 for a household of two, and y must have documented exposure to coronavirus or be at high risk of exposure. Anyone alrey getting money from or federal food programs would be ineligible.

Along with getting isolated seniors free, nutritious food, intent was to generate income for cities and counties and steer business to restaurants devastated after sit-down dining rooms shuttered. meals can't include sugary drinks or high-salt options.

Jot Condie, who hes California Restaurant Association, predicted that virtually any restaurant could qualify, from high-end steakhouses to small mom-and-pop diners. group previously said as many as one-third of state’s restaurants might never reopen.

“For a restaurant that qualifies this will be ... only predictable business that y have,” Condie said. “It’s three meals a day to a set population.”

Chris Hoene, executive director of nprofit California Budget & Policy Center, which vocates for low-income people, said that even if it takes a few months to get meals to vulnerable seniors, “ need is still going to be re.”

“We are a big state. And whenever we put new systems in place, it always takes more time,” he said.