Topanga has long been known for its strong sense of community. Neighbors look after each other. Those scraping by live side by side with those blessed by wealth. Despite, or perhaps because of a mixed economic demographic, helping hands are never out of reach. But even in this close-knit enclave, some residents—particularly the elderly and those with limited mobility—are still in need of support. The Topanga Community Center (TCC) reached out to Meals on Wheels West (MOWW), the nonprofit organization dedicated to delivering nutritious meals and social connection to homebound individuals. One hundred frozen meals were requested every two weeks; that’s one main meal a day for ten people, for ten days. One would think that ten is a small enough number to get approved. However, MOWW cited lack of both drivers and funding as barriers preventing Topanga from being added to their list. They are calling for increased support to meet the growing needs of Canyon residents.
Simply put, MOWW cannot get volunteers to drive the winding Topanga roads; we are seen as a rugged and rural place. MOWW has said they would go as far as the TCC, where a commercial freezer could house the meals until they go out for delivery. Local drivers are needed to take each meal to its recipient.
Then there is the monetary aspect. At $5.50 a meal, 100 meals every two weeks adds up to $1,100 a month. That’s $13,200 a year. As federal funding for programs like MOWW get cut, that $13K is seen as a deficit. Money must be raised to cover every new meal plan added. $5.50 per meal is the cost of creating it; on average, clients pay 96 cents a day. Some pay nothing at all because even at less than one dollar a day they cannot afford to.
Chris Baca, MOWW Executive Director, says, “Our funding is about to be cut. We usually receive $250K of federal grants; this year, we’d be lucky to get $150K.” This raises bigger questions about the future of Meals on Wheels and other important social programs in general.
MOWW is one branch of the national parent organization. It currently serves over 750 clients across Santa Monica, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, and other Westside neighborhoods, delivering more than 220,000 meals annually. In the aftermath of the Palisades Fire, the MOWW tally sheet reads: 20 clients’ homes lost, and even more volunteers’ homes lost. Delivery continues to those displaced, even though MOWW is short staffed.
One of those resilient staff members is a Pacific Palisades delivery volunteer named Ellen. “I lived in a trailer park at the base of a really nice neighborhood, and our trailer park got destroyed, and so did most of the neighborhood above us.” she says. “…I think one of the most important things that people can do is feed other people. So I will continue, in whatever way shape or form I can, to do that.”
What does a meal look like? When I called, Baca walked over to the day’s hot trays: broccoli, pork, and rice in one tray, chicken couscous, red potatoes, lima beans, and honeydew melon in another. Frozen meals typically include a protein, starch, and vegetable, as well as separately packaged milk and fresh fruit. For breakfast, clients might expect cereal with milk and a banana. Clients can get two meals a day with MOWW; other locations offer one.
We don’t often think of Topanga as being a place where anyone might be hungry and unable to provide for themselves. Yet, some are.
How You Can Help—Residents of Topanga Canyon and surrounding areas can support Meals on Wheels West in several ways:
- Volunteer: Dedicate time to deliver meals and offer wellness checks and companionship to clients.
- Donate: Financial contributions help cover the cost of meals and operational expenses.
- Spread the Word: Share information about the organization’s services with neighbors and friends who may benefit. The TCC was made aware of small handfuls of individuals in need, but there may be others out there. Let’s make sure no one is left behind.
For details on how to get involved, please visit www.mealsonwheelswest.org or call (310) 394-5133.
