Senior Nutrition meal sites
Support with daily life, staying at home, transportation, meals, and caregiving.
A directory listing, not an eligibility decision.
UniHealth can identify a possible match, but the responsible program makes the final decision.
What to know
- Why it may fit
- Your circumstances can be checked against the program’s published guidelines.
- What to do next
- Meals at County senior meal sites, run with cities and local groups. For people 60 and older and their spouses. There is no income or citizenship test. You do not have to join a senior center. The suggested donation is $5 a meal, and it is voluntary.
- Who runs it
- County of Santa Clara / contracted providers
What the program may consider
- Age 60 or older, or another locally eligible participant
- Santa Clara County service location
- Current site schedule and capacity
How to get it
Meals at County senior meal sites, run with cities and local groups. For people 60 and older and their spouses. There is no income or citizenship test. You do not have to join a senior center. The suggested donation is $5 a meal, and it is voluntary.
How to apply
County senior meal site sign-up
Fill it out at the site or online, by your second visit. There is nothing to sign and no income test.
- In personCounty senior meal sitesCome at meal time and sign in. Paper sign-up forms are at each site.
- Online formCounty senior meal sign-up formIn English, Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese.
- PhoneCalifornia aging services line: 1-800-510-2020Finds the local aging office that serves your area.
Getting help
Someone can refer you, with your permission
There is nothing to sign. A family member or helper can find a meal site with you. They can also help you fill out the sign-up form. The answers are about you, so you take part.
What happens after you apply
Find a County meal site near you. Ask about meal days and times. Some sites also offer meals to go.
You
On your first visit, sign in and eat. For meals to go, someone you choose may pick up your meal.
The program or providerA helper can help with this
Fill out the sign-up form on paper at the site, or online. Site staff can help. There is nothing to sign.
The countyA helper can help with this By your second visit.
Some to-go meal programs need their own sign-up. Staff also check your needs within 2 weeks, in person or by phone. If you cannot pick up meals, they come to your home. There may be a waitlist.
Only for some to-go meal programs
The program or providerOnly you can do thisWithin 2 weeks.
The County makes you a Gold Card with a barcode. Staff scan it at each meal. You can still eat while you wait for it.
The county
To eat at a partner restaurant, sign up online or at the site that runs it. Bring a government ID to that site. Then you get a restaurant meal card. You sign in online for each restaurant meal.
Only for the restaurant meal program
The program or providerOnly you can do this
What only you can do
- Sign in each time you get a meal.
- Answer the sign-up questions by your second visit, yourself or with help.
- For some to-go meals, take part in the staff needs check. It is at home if you cannot pick up meals.
- Show a government ID at the site if you want restaurant meals.
- How long it takes
- You can eat on your first visit. Finish the sign-up form by your second visit.
- You are enrolled when
- You are signed up once the County has your sign-up form and you have had a meal. You can eat before your Gold Card comes. For some to-go meals, the staff needs check must also be done.
- To keep it
- Sign in at every meal. Sites serve one meal a day per person. Once a year, you update a short form about your eating and health. The $5 donation is voluntary. For some to-go meals, staff check in every 3 months. You then cannot switch back and forth with eating at the site.
Can’t be combined with
- Meals on Wheels. You can be in only one senior meal program at a time. To get home-delivered meals, you leave this one.