Nourishing the Community: SCV Senior Center’s Meals on Wheels Program

The Bella Vida campus of the SCV Senior Center is more than just a gathering place for older adults—it’s a hub of compassion, care, and connection for the entire Santa Clarita community. While many know the center for its lively programs and welcoming atmosphere, one of its most meaningful efforts happens behind the scenes in the kitchen: the Meals on Wheels program.
Featured on our cover are three of the people who make this program happen daily: Executive Chef Marco Rios, Sous Chef Frank Contreras, and Culinary Advisor Cindy Smith. Together, they lead a talented and hardworking team with passion, skill, and dedication, ensuring that thousands of seniors receive fresh, nutritious, and comforting meals every week. Their work embodies the idea that food is not only about nourishment—it’s about dignity, joy, and care.
Every day, the SCV Senior Center prepares nearly 1,600 meals in-house. Of those, about 500 are delivered directly to seniors across the Santa Clarita Valley through Meals on Wheels, while the rest are enjoyed by guests at the Bella Vida facility. The scope of this operation is monumental, requiring precise coordination and a staff-and-volunteer network that works seamlessly from early morning to late afternoon. It is, above all, a labor of love—a commitment to making sure no senior in Santa Clarita goes hungry or feels forgotten.
“Meals on Wheels is about more than just food—it’s about connection,” says Kevin MacDonald, Executive Director of the SCV Senior Center. “Our motto is “More than just a Meal”. It’s about checking on the wellness of each individual, making them smile, and ensuring they know someone cares.” For many seniors, that knock on the door from a Meals on Wheels driver may be the only human interaction they have that day. That small moment carries with it comfort, kindness, and reassurance.
The center is also unique in Los Angeles County—it is one of the few senior centers that prepares all meals fresh every single day. As soon as lunch is served at Bella Vida, the chefs and cooks begin prepping for the following day. Delivery trucks arrive throughout the afternoon with fresh ingredients, and by 5 a.m. the next morning, the kitchen is buzzing again. Meals run on a six-week rotation and include comforting favorites such as chicken fajitas, roasted shrimp, shepherd’s pie, turkey parmesan, and salmon. It’s variety that ensures seniors never feel like they’re just “getting by”—they’re truly being treated with care.
Leading the effort are Rios, Contreras, and Smith, supported by a team of cooks, dishwashers, assistants, and volunteers who work tirelessly in the Bella Vida kitchen. “Our culinary team loves food and has a mission to provide the highest quality meals every day to our seniors,” says MacDonald. “They take great care in following the county’s nutrition guidelines, but also in making sure the meals are delicious.” Once meals are complete, Director of Operations Gina Boersma takes over, ensuring that every meal is packed, organized, and delivered to seniors both on-site and across the community. Sindy Alarcon, Coordinator oversees the program and all the volunteers, she also works with the Care Managers to ensure all seniors needs are met.
One of the most anticipated days of the year at Bella Vida is Thanksgiving. Every November, the Senior Center hosts its annual Thanksgiving Feast in the Bella Vida Ballroom while also delivering traditional holiday meals through Meals on Wheels. The day has become a symbol of community spirit and giving back. “Bella Vida makes Thanksgiving the most important holiday of the year,” Alarcon explains. “Our volunteers even leave their families to deliver meals to those who most need a meal and friendship.”
This cherished holiday tradition is made possible thanks to the Castaic/SCV Lions Club, which covers most of the costs and provides up to 50 volunteers on Thanksgiving Day. Their generosity and hands-on involvement transform the effort into more than just a meal service—it becomes a celebration of gratitude and togetherness. This year, the Senior Center anticipates delivering nearly 300 Meals on Wheels on Thanksgiving Day, while 400 guests will enjoy a sit-down feast in the Bella Vida Ballroom. On top of that, more than 100 turkeys will be distributed to local families, thanks to the support of the SCV Rotary Club.
The program’s success depends on volunteers, whom MacDonald calls “the heart and soul of Meals on Wheels.” Each day, 20 volunteer drivers head out from Bella Vida in one of the center’s 20 Meals on Wheels cars, delivering between 25 and 40 meals along their routes. More than 100 volunteer drivers participate each week—many of them long-time volunteers who have been serving for decades. Beyond delivering meals, they bring warmth, comfort, and joy to seniors. They remember birthdays, share holiday cheer, and are often the smiling faces that seniors look forward to seeing each day.
The spirit of giving extends beyond the drivers. Scout troops, local schools, and organizations like the Assistance League contribute to Meals on Wheels by making special treats and gifts for recipients. These thoughtful extras—homemade cards, baked goods, or seasonal crafts—add a personal touch that reminds seniors that their community cares deeply for them.
Funding for Meals on Wheels comes from a combination of the federal government’s Older Americans Act, the State of California, and the LA County Department of Aging and Disabilities. However, these funds don’t cover the entire cost of the program. “We must raise a lot of funds to fill in the gap,” says MacDonald. “The funding for this year is not fully secured, and we need community support to serve our seniors throughout the year.” Donations can be made at http://scvseniorcenter.org, and every contribution directly supports seniors in Santa Clarita.
The impact of Meals on Wheels often goes far beyond food. Volunteer drivers and care managers have saved lives by finding seniors who had fallen or were in medical distress. Others have offered comfort to those experiencing deep loneliness. “The program has literally saved lives,” MacDonald shares. “The coordination between our drivers and care managers is critical in meeting the complex needs of seniors as they age.”
Looking toward the future, the Senior Center has plans to expand Meals on Wheels even further. Goals include creating a dedicated website to connect participants to Bella Vida’s wide range of classes and activities, launching a home maintenance service, offering in-home care and medically tailored meals, and even delivering “library books on wheels.”
“The future is bright,” Board President Bonnie Teaford says. “We will fulfill our mission of serving the most vulnerable seniors in our community, ensuring that every knock on the door brings more than just a meal—it brings hope, dignity, and connection.”

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