There have been a lot of changes in the San Diego community due to COVID-19 (coronavirus). As organizations are adjusting to this new normal, Alzheimer’s San Diego is carefully tracking important local resources.

We’ve put together a comprehensive list for your convenience. Keep reading to find out about local grocery stores with modified hours for seniors, meal delivery, transportation, adult day care, temporary cancellations, and other vital social services.

HOT-MEAL DELIVERY:

  • Jewish Family Services: JFS is providing drive-thru food distribution, home-delivered meals, safe parking and migrant shelter, as well as emergency funds. They are offering their on-the-go rides for grocery shopping/medical appointments only. Other programs are being held over the phone, but their day program, support groups, and home safety programs are still suspended. You do not need to identify as Jewish access services. Call 858.637.3210.
  • Mama’s Kitchen: Home Delivered Meals are offered to those diagnosed with a critical illness. To qualify, you must have a medical provider fill out a referral form, which is followed by an intake call before they can begin delivery. Open from Monday through Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information, please contact Mama’s Kitchen at 619.233.6262 or email them at clientservices@mamaskitchen.org.
  • Ramona Senior Center (Ramona, Ranchita, Warner Springs, Valley Center, Pala, Rincon, Julian and Lake Henshaw): Nutrition Services includes a lunch program on-site for a suggested donation of $5.00. Our Nutrition Advisory Council and other outreach services include information and referrals and the distribution of bread and other baked goods.
  • National City Senior Nutrition Program:  The Home Delivered Meals Program brings our delicious meals to the homes of senior adults who are unable to come to one of our centers for lunch. In addition to providing a nutritionally balanced meal, it also helps to keep this often-isolated group of senior adults socially engaged. The meal recipients have contact everyday with a delivery person who not only greets them, but is also there to check on their well-being. Suggested contribution of $4.00 per meal. For more information please call (619) 336-6752.
  • Special Delivery SD (Central SD): This program prepares and delivers nutritious meal packages to homebound people living with AIDS, cancer, or who have a life-threatening illness.
  • Meals on Wheels: They are operating as normal, but increasing volunteer numbers to help with meal delivery. Fees apply. Contact them at 619.260.6110.
  • Great Plates: Eat well – for free – thanks to The Great Plates Programs. These special programs deliver delicious meals from local restaurants to older adults and those with disabilities or health conditions at $0 cost to them, so they can stay safe at home. Click the link to learn more.
  • Mountain Health: They are offering discounted meals delivered to seniors, 60+, who live in either Alpine, Campo, Jacumba, Boulevard, or Potrero. Eligible seniors will not be denied for their inability to pay. They will also deliver to those under age 60 with a required fee. Contact them at 619.445.6200 ext. 500.
  • Meals with Love (Vista/Oceanside/Carlsbad): Hot and cold nutritionally balanced meals are available for those who are unable to prepare food themselves. For those that are not only homebound in need, but also those confined to their homes for any reason, including illness, accident, or convalescence. All meals are picked up at the All Saint’s Episcopal Church and delivered by caring volunteers between 11 AM and noon. Fees apply.
  • Carlsbad Senior Center: The City of Carlsbad is continuing its meal services for Carlsbad residents ONLY 60 and older, although there will be no in-service dining. Call 760.602.4650 to learn more.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION:

  • Jewish Family Services: JFS is providing drive-thru food distribution, home-delivered meals, safe parking and migrant shelter, as well as emergency funds. They are offering their on-the-go rides for grocery shopping/medical appointments only. Other programs are being held over the phone, but their day program, support groups, and home safety programs are still suspended. You do not need to identify as Jewish access services. Call 858.637.3210.
  • South Bay Community Services: In partnership with community members, faith-based partners, Smart Food Foundation, Feeding San Diego, and the San Diego Food Bank, SBCS is offering healthy food distribution on a weekly basis throughout Chula Vista and connects families in other parts of the County with additional resources.
  • Catholic Charities: They are offering food distribution for pick-up and delivery throughout the county for low-income individuals and families.
  • Kitchens for Good: In partnership with local food assistance and community organizations, Kitchens for Good meals feed people without access to affordable, nutritious food: children, seniors, and the unsheltered.
  • Hugs and Bags: Hugs and Bags monthly events take place from 8 AM – 12 PM on the last Saturday of every month. The location will be on the corner of 14th and Imperial (downtown San Diego) unless otherwise specified available for homeless and underprivileged communities.
  • First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego: Call 619.271,5017 for more information. Available for pickup every Saturday from 11 AM – 12:30 PM.
  • Food Distribution Sites in Chula Vista: Check out the link for a list of resources.
  • San Diego Food Bank: Multiple food distribution sites throughout the county. Click the link to view. Call their local line at 858.527.1419 or their toll-free line at 1-866-350-FOOD (3663).
  • San Diego Hunger Coalition: More information on where to find food pantries, groceries, and senior meal services

GROCERY/FOOD DELIVERY:

  • NAAMA San Diego Community Outreach: Team of volunteers who speak English, Arabic, Assyrian and Chaldean Neo-Aramaic, Spanish, Farsi, and French. anyone over the age of 60 years of age or immunocompromised (especially those with language barriers).
  • Amazon Prime Now: Offers tens of thousands of items across dozens of categories, including household items and groceries. Delivers from early morning to late evening, 7 days a week. Delivery fees vary based on order size.
  • Instacart: Groceries delivered from local stores.
  • Rancho Santa Fe Senior Center: The senior center has volunteers (serving RSF and surrounding areas) who can provide help with grocery shopping, errands, etc. Call the senior center to be placed in contact with a volunteer: 858.756.3041, Available (by phone only) Mon-Fri 9 AM-5 PM.
  • Uber Eats: On demand food delivery from restaurants, for a delivery fee.
  • Umbrella app: Offers grocery delivery for seniors for a fee and other household services

RELATED | 9 cognitively stimulating activities you can do at home

TRANSPORTATION:

  • FACT (transportation): FACT is coordinating fee-based county-wide transportation to medical appointments and grocery shopping. Seniors, persons with disabilities, students, veterans and other residents who need assistance, may call FACT at 888-924-3228 between 8 AM – 3 PM, Monday through Friday, to request free transportation anywhere in San Diego County.
  • On The Go Navigator: On the Go transportation services are available to individuals 60 years and older residing in San Diego County. Existing transportation must be inadequate or unavailable. All riders must be mentally alert. Many On the Go services are wheelchair accessible.

BUSINESS AID:

GENERAL SERVICES:

  • 2-1-1: is the primary point of contact for all county services (community, health, housing, nutrition, disaster services). They are also providing information on free COVID-19 testing, and information and assistance regarding the COVID vaccine. Individuals who are currently receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are now eligible for food stamps (SNAP). Call 2-1-1 to apply.
  • San Diego Humane Society: The San Diego Humane Society will be distributing pet food and supplies for county pet owners in need. Through our Pantry Service, anyone can visit our campus locations to pick up a bag of dog or cat food as well as other supplies as available. Check hours at the link.
    • San Diego: 5480 Gaines St.
    • Escondido: 3500 Burnet Dr.
    • Oceanside: 2905 San Luis Rey Rd. or 572 Airport Rd.
  • California Immigrant Youth Justice Alliance: COVID-19 Resources for Undocumented Californians
  • Interfaith Community Services: Providing emergency food, housing/shelter, showers/laundry services, behavioral health, face masks etc. Accepting drive-thru donations of food/supplies, staff will pick up from the car.
  • ElderHelp: They have increased volunteer capacity and volunteers and staff are collecting and delivering groceries and essential items to seniors. The office now functions as a food pantry. They are still providing friendly check-in calls to reduce isolation and anxiety among homebound seniors. Contact them at 619.284.9281.
  • OASIS: Oasis has gone virtual and has launched FREE uplifting daily classes. No registrations are required; people can access these daily freebies from our website. Contact them at 619.881.6262.
  • PsychArmor: Here is the list of resources put together by PsychArmor to assist our Military and Veteran caregivers and their families, as well as everyone else that can use a helping hand during these extraordinary times. This resource list includes virtual field trips, online education, and even
    some quarantine-friendly recipes to try out.
  • Sharp Resource Center: Sharp is connecting clients/families to community resources by telephone. No education classes are available. Their office is closed for now, and all services are being provided by phone at 619.740.4214.
  • UCSD, Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center: They are developing a resource sheet for clients who need items from the store. Support groups are being held through Zoom. Otherwise, all other programs in-person are closed. Contact 858.822.4800 for more information. Click the link for their resource guide.
  • VetAssist Program: Assists senior wartime veterans and their surviving spouses to access the Aid & Attendance pension to pay for in-home care services. Our program costs our clients nothing out of pocket. Call (562) 552-1319 for more information.
  • YANA (You are Not Alone Service): They have stopped all visits and outreach is being made via phone. The Sheriff’s department continues to conduct welfare checks.

MISCELLANEOUS:

  • Live Well San Diego: Live Well @ Home is a free resource to help community residents find tips and strategies to stay healthy in both mind and body while staying at home. Activities are organized by age group and topic to help you find the right tools to match your needs.
  • SDG&E:  They are urging customers who are struggling to pay their utility bills due to financial hardships stemming from the coronavirus to call its Customer Contact Center at 1.800.411.7343 to make payment arrangements. Learn more by clicking the link.
  • Pharmacies: Click the link for an updated list of local pharmacies that will make home deliveries to older adults sheltering in place.
  • Nutrition and Fitness Resources: This resource guide comes from the county.
  • UCSD’s Sanford Institute and the Compassion Institute: have come together to offer daily online streams and recordings of mindfulness and compassion sessions to provide support to those affected by COVID-19.

RELATED | Check out our guide on staying healthy while caring for someone with dementia.

GROCERY STORE SPECIAL HOURS (Call your local store to confirm hours):

  • Aldi: TTh 8:30-9:30 AM; seniors and those with compromised immune systems.
  • Albertsons: 6-7 AM daily; seniors and other at-risk members of our community such as pregnant women or those with compromised immune systems.
  • Baron’s Market: 9-10 AM; seniors 65+ at most locations
  • Big Lots: 1st hour of business; seniors and vulnerable people are allowed during the 1st hour of business, there is also curbside pickup available.
  • Big Saver Foods: 7:30-8 AM daily; seniors 65+
  • Cardenas Market: 7-8 AM daily; seniors, disabled, caregivers, and first responders.
  • Costco: 9-10 AM daily; seniors 60+
  • Dollar General: 1st hour of business; seniors and vulnerable people are allowed
  • Food4Less: 6-8 AM; call the store for more information as hours differ based on the store location.
  • Gelson’s: 7-8 AM; seniors 60+, people with disabilities, and caregivers at PB, Del Mar, and Carlsbad locations.
  • Jimbo’s: 8-8:45 AM; seniors 60+ and disabled persons
  • Military Commissaries: Naval Base Commissary North Island Commissary, Miramar MCAS Commissary & Imperial Beach Commissary: Seniors allowed 30 Minutes prior to store opening, no guests allowed, 100% ID check. *Please verify normal hours.
  • Northgate Gonzalez Market Chain: 7-8 AM daily; all eight locations are open for ages 65+ and disabled customers
  • Ralph’s: 6 – 7:30 AM daily; seniors and disabled persons are allowed
  • Safeway: T-Th 7-9 AM; seniors, pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems
  • Sam’s Club: T-Th 7-9 AM; seniors and those with compromised immune systems or disabilities
  • Seaside Market: 7-8 AM daily; seniors 65+ are allowed
  • Smart & Final: 7:30-8 AM daily; seniors are allowed
  • Stater Bros: 7:45-8 AM daily; seniors 65+
  • Super A Foods: 7-8 AM daily; seniors 65+
  • Target: T & Wed during 1st hour of business; seniors and vulnerable people
  • Trader Joe’s: Daily during 1st hour of business for seniors
  • Vallarta: 7-8 AM daily; at the Escondido & National City locations for seniors 65+, pregnant women, and those with disabilities
  • Vons: 6-7 AM; seniors and vulnerable people are allowed
  • Walmart: Tuesdays seniors 60+ are allowed 1 hour before opening
  • Whole Foods: Seniors 60+ are allowed 1 hour before opening.

24/7 HELPLINES/HOTLINES:

*Note: This resource list will be continually updated for accuracy. Please contact the organizations directly with any questions. Last updated February 18, 2021.