Bay Federal Credit Union Raises More Than $8,000 for Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz County, CA — Community Bridges is excited to announce that Bay Federal Credit Union raised more than $8,000 for Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County during its annual Meals on Wheels Coin Drive this year. 

Bay Federal Credit Union staff and members have impressively raised roughly $75,000 for Meals on Wheels programs over the past 18 years. This year’s total of $8,173.52 raised for Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County, a program of Community Bridges, is more than double what the organization has raised in previous years. 

“Bay Federal Credit Union has been a wonderful partner over the past 18 years,” Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County Program Director Lisa Berkowitz said. “Dedicated credit union staff have made the Coin Drive a success ensuring the essential delivery of thousands of meals to Santa Cruz seniors in need” 

Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County, first established in 1976, provides weekly services to approximately 700 older adults living in Santa Cruz County. At least 525 of those older adults receive meals delivered to their homes. The other 175 older adults enjoy meals at four dining sites located throughout the county and at Elderday Adult Day Health Care, which is also operated by Community Bridges.  

Last year, Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County distributed roughly 250,000 meals to older adults, many of them homebound and living below the poverty line.  

And the need for Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County’s services has arguably never been greater. A recent Kaiser Family Foundation Health News report highlighted new alarming data that the rate of older Californians dying of malnutrition has drastically accelerated since 2018.  

According to the report, deaths attributed to malnutrition more than doubled, from about 650 in 2018 to roughly 1,400 in 2022, according to preliminary death certificate data from the California Department of Public Health. The same trend occurred nationwide, with malnutrition deaths more than doubling, from about 9,300 deaths in 2018 to roughly 20,500 in 2022, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

At the same time, food costs for Meals on Wheels have increased 16% over the past year, and fuel costs have increased 39%. These increases hit Meals on Wheels especially hard, as well as the low-income older adults we serve, and make fund raising initiatives such as Bay Federal Credit Union’s annual Coin Drive all the more essential.  

Since 2006, Coin Drive proceeds have allowed Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County to deliver 1,000 meals each year to local older adults. Credit union employees also bring holiday cheer to local older adults by volunteering on delivery routes on Thanksgiving Day. 

About Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County  

Since 1976, Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County, a program of Community Bridges, has served more than 10 million meals to local older adults in need. Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County serves 1,600 older adults in need each year with nutritious meals and caring human contact. The tireless work of this program—supported by a dedicated army of volunteers—allows thousands of Santa Cruz County residents to remain healthy, safe, and independent in their own homes. 

About Community Bridges  

Community Bridges envisions a thriving community where every person has the opportunity to unleash their full potential. Together, our family of programs delivers essential services, provides equitable access to resources, and advocates for health and dignity across every stage of life. To learn more, please visit www.communitybridges.org. 

For more than 100 years combined, Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County and Grey Bears have delivered more than just food—we’ve delivered hope, dignity, and connection to tens of thousands of older adults in Santa Cruz County.Today, we’re facing one of our greatest challenges yet. As demand for meals among local seniors rises, critical federal programs like CalFresh (SNAP) and the National Senior Nutrition Program (NSIP) have been severely cut. These safety nets are lifelines for local older adults who are already forced to choose between groceries, rent, and medication.When food support disappears, the ripple effects hit our entire community—impacting health care, housing, and transportation systems—and make local programs like Meals on Wheels and Grey Bears all the more essential. 💛 You can make a difference.Your support helps bring food—and hope—straight to the doorstep of someone who truly needs it.📍 Donate today:Community Bridges ➡️ communitybridges.org/donateGrey Bears ➡️ greybears.org/ways-to-give📖 Learn how we’re banding together at the table for local seniors:🔗 bit.ly/4kJi3ag Together, we can ensure no senior is forgotten.Together, we can feed hope.#MealsOnWheels #GreyBears #CommunityBridges #FeedHope #TogetherAtTheTable #SantaCruzCares@ ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Photos from Elderday Adult Day Health Care's post ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Ten Years Strong - Thanks to YOU!Because of your unwavering support, our 10th Annual Farm to Fork Gala was an unforgettable celebration of community, compassion, and impact.Together, you supported all ten Community Bridges programs, touching the lives of over 20,000 local children, families, and older adults. Your generosity fueled essential services, expanded equitable access to resources, and brought health and dignity across every stage of life on our Central Coast. This milestone is yours to celebrate. We’re endlessly grateful for your partnership.Enjoy these highlights from a night we’ll never forget — and mark your calendar for next year!If you weren’t able to attend, there’s still time to make an impact. Join us at communitybridges.org/donate 💚 ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
🌿 Thank You to Our Incredible Sponsors! 🌿Our Farm to Fork Gala wouldn't be possible without the generous support of our amazing partners.Special thanks to:Bontadelli Farms, Driscoll's, Ginny Solari Mazry, Lookout Santa Cruz, Tere Carrubba & Cathe Race, West Coast Community Bank — your presence and support made this event truly special.And a heartfelt thank you to:Armitage Wines, Tilapia, Alfaro Family Vineyards, CamFlor Inc., Chic Event Rentals, Edward Newman Family, Falcon Trading Co., Karissa Paxton Events LLC, and Tilapia Film — your contributions helped bring our vision to life. ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Happy Fourth of July!🎆Wishing everyone a day filled with sunshine, laughter, and celebration. Whether you're enjoying a BBQ, watching fireworks, or just kicking back — we hope your holiday is safe and full of joy!Don't forget to wave when you see Lift Line and Meals on Wheels in the parade! 🎉🚐🍽️ ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook