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East County News Service
Photo: from left to right: GHD board members Randy Lenac, Gloria Chadwick, Gabi Charo, Jewish Family Service; GHD board members Michael Emerson, Virginia Hall, Robert “Bob” Ayres.
January 2, 2018 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) is continuing its support of Jewish Family Service (JFS) of San Diego’s food assistance program, which alleviates food insecurity in San Diego’s East County region.
The GHD board recently approved a $40,000 grant that will help cover expenses for the JFS Foodmobile program that delivers nutritious meals to homebound seniors, and adults with disabilities who live in the GHD’s service district. JFS officials said the GHD grant will provide more than 11,000 meals over a year’s time.
“Assisting older adults to age with dignity and independence in their own homes can lower the frequency and duration of hospital readmissions and other inpatient settings,” said Michael Emerson, GHD board president. “The correlation between good nutrition and good health is well documented. We’re proud to support Jewish Family Service and their outstanding efforts to help build better lives through access to healthy food.”
GHD has supported JFS with grants since 1998. The JFS Foodmobile program provides ongoing nutrition service to isolated, indigent, frail and vulnerable seniors and other homebound adults with disabilities who have no other access to basic nutrition. Gabi Charo, director of nutrition services, JFS, said home-delivered meals cost an average of $2,500 per individual for a full year. She said JFS provides more than 250,000 meals annually to San Diegans in need.
“We’re grateful for the support of the Grossmont Healthcare District,” said Charo. “Homebound older adults constitute a largely invisible and particularly vulnerable segment of society. Jewish Family Service is eager to help all San Diegans, regardless of faith or ethnic background, because of our values to help transform client’s lives.”
Charo said that social workers from Sharp Grossmont Hospital and Sharp Hospice often contact JFS to request Foodmobile service for newly discharged, disabled and elderly patients. In many cases, these patients have limited resources and little or no family or other support at home.
About Jewish Family Service
Since 1918, Jewish Family Service of San Diego has been a trusted community resource for individuals and families working to build better lives. Operating throughout San Diego County and the Coachella Valley, the agency’s integrated services are focused around three goals: Empower Individuals & Families to Move Toward Self-Sufficiency, Support Aging With Dignity, and Foster Community Connection & Engagement. Many people first turn to Jewish Family Service with a specific need, such as job coaching or transportation, and that first contact often leads to a wide range of services, including counseling, education, nutritious meals, social connection, and more. JFS was named a 2016 California Nonprofit of the Year. In 2017, JFS earned a tenth consecutive 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator that highlights the work of efficient, ethical and open charities. To get help, volunteer, or to earn how JFS empowers change in our community, visit www.jfssd.org.
About Grossmont Healthcare District
The Grossmont Healthcare District is a public agency that supports various health-related community programs and services in the East Region. Formed in 1952 to build and operate Grossmont Hospital, GHD now leases operations to Sharp HealthCare via a public-private partnership, and continues to own the hospital on behalf of local taxpayers. The District is governed by a five-member board of directors, each elected to four-year terms, who represent more than 500,000 people residing within the District's 750 square miles in San Diego's East County. For more information about GHD, visit www.grossmonthealthcare.org.
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