 The COVID-19 pandemic has put a huge strain on businesses. Restaurants are no different. But during these difficult times, the same businesses that have been hit hard are also the ones providing support to their communities. It just brings a joy, joy to my heart. In response to the pandemic, the nation's first ever meal delivery service for older adults was launched in California earlier this year. Authorized by FEMA, the Great Plates program is designed to help seniors and other adults at risk from COVID-19 to stay home and healthy and also to provide essential economic stimulus to local businesses. If this didn't happen, I would have been running around trying to find all kinds of catering and we might have had to pack up out of here. Who knows? Great Plates provides free restaurant quality food to older adults in California, delivered as many as three times per day. The food is tastefully prepped, packaged, and then delivered. Delivering 20 million meals statewide, the program also has supported 9,700 jobs. Back in April, the first meals through Great Plates were served, now nearly 20 counties are participating. It's given restaurants, you know, I guess a lifeline to basically live another day. I think this was a very beneficial program for us senior citizens. My mom, you know, at a time like this, when we have to be, you know, stay at home for social distancing and in terms of the food, the food was very, very delicious. For more on the Great Plates program, visit covid19.ca.gov. You can also go to our blog at oesnews.com for the latest updates on California's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.