PG&E funds Meals on Wheels deliveries for seniors during crises

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY—Meals on Wheels (MOW) Diablo Region is partnering with Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (PG&E) to provide critical food support to individuals who experience food loss during natural disasters and Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS).

Under the agreement and new for 2020, PG&E will provide MOW advance notice of a PSPS. This will allow MOW to coordinate with Mt. Diablo Unified School District to prepare an additional meal to be delivered to impacted seniors. PG&E will cover the cost of the shelf-stable meal.

While last year’s PSPS events created challenges for MOW and its clients, local and national news outlets heralded the agency’s rapid response as it successfully delivered meals to all clients.

This spring, the agency began delivering weekly frozen meals to clients to ensure greater social distancing due to the COVID pandemic. With power outages, seniors will not be able to heat the weekly meals or keep them cold and safe.

A real hardship

“For many of our clients, the loss of power is more than an inconvenience. It presents a real hardship,” said MOW executive director Caitlin Sly. “We are pleased that PG&E has stepped forward to make sure that the most vulnerable seniors in our county will not go without a meal in the event of a PSPS event.”

Due to rapidly changing environmental conditions in California, and in the interest of public safety, PG&E may need to turn off electricity if severe weather affects part of the electric system.

“PG&E understands PSPS event impacts are compounded for those already experiencing hardship. PG&E is proud of the partnership with MOW Diablo Region, providing an immediate solution to food replacement needs as a result of shutting off the power for safety,” said Vanessa Bryan, manager of PSPS Engagement, Strategy and Planning.

For more information on PG&E resources and programs available to customers before, during and after a PSPS event, visit pge.com/disabilityandaging/.