More than 700 seniors in Long Beach received a warm Thanksgiving meal this week, thanks to a longstanding tradition of SCAN Health Plan employees coming together to make it possible.
SCAN employees and their families gathered at the health insurance agency’s headquarters in Long Beach on Wednesday, Nov. 26, to assemble and deliver the meals to older adults living in eight senior residential communities across the city.
With 1 in 4 Los Angeles County residents experiencing food insecurity and isolation among seniors on the rise, SCAN’s effort brought both nourishment and companionship to Long Beach residents who might otherwise have spent the holiday alone, officials said.
“We know how detrimental social isolation is for older adults,” said Pedro Carbajal-Madrid, clinical director for SCAN’s Independence at Home program, which spearheads the event. “It really impacts their overall health, and so we want to make sure that we bring a meal, because we worry that some of them may go through the holidays without a Thanksgiving meal. Along with that, we want to bring a cheerful message.”
Each meal bag included a complete Thanksgiving feast, with turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables, a piece of bread and a slice of pie, as well as a handmade card.
“It’s heartwarming to be able to give back,” Jackie Soriano, supervisor for Independence at Home’s Homeless Services Program, said. “I’m really happy that we have a lot of volunteers to be able to be here today; being part of the committee and being able to plan it was joyful.”
Gerry Esterly receives a Thanksgiving meal in Long Beach on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Approximately 750 meals will be personally delivered to seniors living in eight Long Beach senior buildings. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From left, volunteer Kelly Peters delivers a Thanksgiving meal to Marshall Martell in Long Beach on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Approximately 750 meals will be personally delivered to seniors living in eight Long Beach senior buildings. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From left, volunteer Kelly Peters delivers a Thanksgiving meal to Gerry Esterly in Long Beach on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Approximately 750 meals will be personally delivered to seniors living in eight Long Beach senior buildings. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Independence at Home Clinical Director Pedro Carbajal-Madrid welcomes volunteers to SCAN Health Plan Headquarters in Long Beach on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Volunteers will pack approximately 750 meals that will be personally delivered to seniors living in eight Long Beach senior buildings. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Mila Lilien of Independence at Home helps assemble and bag Thanksgiving meals in Long Beach on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Approximately 750 meals will be packed and personally delivered to seniors living in eight Long Beach senior buildings. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From left, volunteers Kelly Peters and Jonille Torres unload Thanksgiving meals in Long Beach on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Approximately 750 meals will be personally delivered to seniors living in eight Long Beach senior buildings. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Volunteer Kelly Peters loads Thanksgiving meals into her car in Long Beach on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Approximately 750 meals will be personally delivered to seniors living in eight Long Beach senior buildings. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Volunteers help assemble and bag Thanksgiving meals at SCAN Health Plan Headquarters in Long Beach on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Volunteers help assemble and bag Thanksgiving meals at SCAN Health Plan Headquarters in Long Beach on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Approximately 750 meals will be packed and personally delivered to seniors living in eight Long Beach senior buildings. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Volunteers help assemble and bag Thanksgiving meals at SCAN Health Plan Headquarters in Long Beach on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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Gerry Esterly receives a Thanksgiving meal in Long Beach on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Approximately 750 meals will be personally delivered to seniors living in eight Long Beach senior buildings. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Other employee volunteers were also happy to help seniors in the Long Beach community have full hearts and stomachs for the holiday. While some volunteers helped pack the meal bags, others drove around the city to help deliver them to seniors’ front doors. The meals were delivered across eight Long Beach senior residences, including Cityview Apartments.
“This has been a blessing because a lot of people look forward to this,” said Esteban Rodriguez, resident service coordinator at Cityview. “We’re just very grateful for all the help Independence at Home provides.”
Independence at Home is SCAN’s community service branch, providing no-cost programs, support and resource referrals for older adults and caregivers, according to its website. The agency’s employees visit senior residences, such as Cityview, and provide programs like technology assistance and more, Rodriguez said.
At the residences, volunteers divided the hundreds of meals to begin distributing them to each senior’s home.
Marshall Martell, a 22-year resident at Cityview, said it was “fantastic” that Independence at Home and SCAN provided meals for older adults like himself for the holiday, as his daughter and three grandsons spent Thanksgiving in their home in Reno, Nevada. Martell said he would enjoy his meal while watching football on Thursday.
“It’s really appreciated,” he said. “I shop, I cook but if I don’t have to, that’s cool.”
Gerry Esterly, a 20-year resident at Cityview, shared similar sentiments.
“I will always appreciate a meal, because I cooked for a lot of years,” Esterly said while smiling, and remembering even brining a turkey in her bathtub. “I really appreciate it and SCAN has always been there.”
Esterly said she would enjoy her meal and on Thanksgiving would spend time with her family. She especially enjoys being with her great-grandchildren.
“For us, it doesn’t become more real than an event like this, providing that support to older adults and their families,” Carbajal-Madrid said. “It really is this type of event that is really what the company is all about, making sure that we support the people that help build our community.”