Another day, another new coronavirus initiative announced by Governor Gavin Newsom. The state and federal governments are teaming up to use local restaurants to deliver meals to seniors affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Governor Newsom announced a first-of-its-kind plan called ‘Restaurants Deliver,’ a joint program with FEMA to feed seniors in their homes.
“A partnership not just with FEMA, but now a partnership with cities and counties, for a locally driven strategy to get our restaurant workers and our hospitality workers who prepare and deliver nutritious meals to our seniors,” said Newsom.
Seniors who are eligible based on their coronavirus risk and their level of income can get up to three meals a day seven days a week. Restaurants that participate will be reimbursed up to $61 a day, with three-quarters of that cost covered by FEMA.
“It’s not just about the meals, it’s about a human connection,” said Newsom, “it’s about someone just checking in as they're delivering those meals and making sure people are ok.”
The program will be administered by the counties, which will have to pick up about 6% of the tab, but should benefit from sales and payroll taxes generated by the resurrection of restaurants that have either been closed or deeply hurt by the shelter in place orders.
