Great Plates program helped community in many ways

Editor: Unknown to many in Lodi, since April 2020, the “Great Plates Delivered Program” has been helping many disabled and low income Lodi seniors during this horrible pandemic, with three prepared meals a day.

Helping seniors and the disabled residents benefitted them in many ways: not having to shop for food with possible COVID carriers, having delicious meals prepared and delivered from restaurants in town, not having to cook or clean up or plan meals was a “life-saver;” it really helped them balance their spending budget. It also helped the seniors have balanced, nutritious meals, thanks to the wonderful restaurants in town. It was also great that the restaurants were able to provide employment for many of their employees. It was a great way to see some of our tax dollars at work.

I have been looking to find who to thank and acknowledge for this wonderful program that has helped so many. The program ended July 9, 2021.

I was happy to thank Ms Astrida Trupovnieks, Local Great Plates Administrator, City of Lodi, who told me the real thanks goes to LOEL Senior Center and the wonderful people who work there. This center, headed by Tracy Williams, took all of the intake and screening calls, prepared the delivery routes from the calls and gave them to the five participating restaurants, explained the program, answered the questions, and solved problems. FEMA and a caring American public funded this worthy program, but LOEL was the engine that kept the machine moving. Ms Trupovnieks made it possible to participate on the front-end with qualifying restaurants, on the back-end checking and paying invoices, and in the middle authorizing what needed to be authorized.

The Brick House, Village Coffee Shop, Dancing Fox, Lodi Beer Company and Zin Bistro mobilized meals, deliveries, and responded to delivery problems. The Lodi City Council and Lodi citizens are also to be recognized in that the city council has paid all the bills up front with the hope and promise of being reimbursed by FEMA. It is worth mentioning that each time our city council voted about Great Plates, the vote was unanimous to fund and continue funding. We know they will but with disasters worldwide, FEMA’s reimbursement is expected to be delayed up to one or even two years because of the sheer magnitude of FEMA’s responsibilities. And last, the State’s Office of Emergency Services has also been a great help. They acted in FEMA’s stead answering questions and providing guidance on a regular basis. It is true that America is the most generous nation in the world. Let’s hope that we never change and that we continue to be free and freedom-loving.

So very sadly, Tracy Lynn Williams, President/CEO, of the LOEL Senior Center for 20 years, passed away on Friday, June 18 from illness, at age 54. Sadly I am unable to thank her, but whole-heartedly, my extended family and all those who have greatly benefited from the Great Plates Delivered program, appreciate and want to thank, the Loel Senior Center and the wonderful people who work there, restaurants, cooks, delivery persons, FEMA, the state of California, the City of Lodi and Lodi citizens. My family would especially like to thank Colleen Lewis, the Lewis family and the Dancing Fox staff for over 900 delicious meals.

SHARON NORTON AND FAMILY

Lodi