Even before the pandemic, many of the area’s senior citizens had difficulties getting food. COVID-19 then resulted in even greater challenges for this vulnerable population, as congregate nutrition sites closed and caretakers and family members had to distance themselves for safety. Ocean County’s home-delivered meals program, though, has answered “the nutritional and social needs of the homebound elderly, prior to the virus and throughout the pandemic,” the county freeholders stated.

In response to the number of people requesting the service, the state, through the Families First Coronavirus Response…