Pasadena to Continue Weekend Grab and Go Meal Program

After being informed the city’s initial two-month commitment to fund the weekend portion of the Pasadena Unified School District’s Grab-and-Go program ended on Monday, the Pasadena City Council authorized the City Manager to make an expenditure to keep the weekend portion of the program going until the City Council can formally address the issue next week.

“I’d be surprised if anyone objects to that,” said Mayor Terry Tornek after City Manager Steve Mermell advised the council he could make the expenditure to keep the weekend program going for now.

The city previously agreed to spend $105,400 to fund the program on weekends until May 17. It is not known how much the city will contribute going forward.

Councilmembers were not initially aware that the deadline had passed. The notification came during discussions to enter into the Great Plate Delivered program, a state program that provides meals for local seniors.

The PUSD has distributed thousands of pre-packaged meals on weekdays at school sites across the city since mid-March due to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order to close schools to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.

Soon after the start of the program, the city partnered with the school district to expand meal service to weekends for students and their families.

The meals are important to some local families struggling to make ends meet.

Meals are distributed 9-11 a.m., seven days a week, at PUSD sites. Weekend staffing is provided by the Pasadena Center and Rose Bowl Operating Companies.