After three weeks of collecting donations, the city of Rancho Cucamonga will launch a one-day distribution of essential foods, grocery and cleaning items for senior citizens on Thursday, April 16.

From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., seniors 65 years and older residing in Rancho Cucamonga can receive care packages donated by the community at a drive-thru event at the parking lot of Central Park/Goldy S. Lewis Community Center, 11200 Base Line Road.

For the past three weeks, the city has accepted donations of canned goods, single-serve foods, paper products, cleaning agents and more to exclusively box up and, now, distribute to seniors, the population most vulnerable to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The city wanted to make sure local seniors had enough supplies and did not have to leave the house to get them, thereby adhering to the safer-at-home practices by order of Gov. Gavin Newsom.

“During these times of uncertainty, it’s important that we come together and assist our senior members of the community. The generosity of so many during this time really speaks to the level of compassion that exists in this community,” Jennifer Hunt-Gracia, Rancho Cucamonga community services director, said in a prepared statement.

“We are hoping to serve as many seniors as possible, 65 and over,” Jennifer Camacho-Curtis, city spokesperson, said Wednesday, April 15. The city has prepared over 600 care packages, she said.

To ensure an orderly pickup and abide by social distancing rules as required by the coronavirus pandemic emergency, the procedures for Thursday’s pickup are as follows:

• The parking lot opens at 12:30 p.m. No early line-ups.

• Donations will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. One bag will be given per senior household, while supplies last.

• All persons receiving donations must be seniors over age 65 who live in the city. They must show a picture ID. Display the identification through the vehicle window and staff attendants will place the donation bag in the trunk. Do not exit the vehicle.

Aside from residents, city staff and their families, donations came from the Cucamonga Valley Water District, Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County, the City Council, Assemblyman James Ramos, God’s Pantry, the Rancho Cucamonga VIP Club, Cadence Senior Living, employees of Ralph’s (Day Creek and Highland stores), Forest Lawn and Sunrise Assisted Living.

Seniors over age 65 in need of resources can email seniors@cityofrc.us or call the city senior hotline at 909-477-2788. Residents can visit the city’s website (www.cityofrc.us/coronavirus) for information on how to protect themselves from the virus and facilities’ hours and closures.

Other resources include:

• San Bernardino County Department of Public Health 24/7 Public Hotline for inquiries by health care facilitates and the general public: 1-800-782-4264, press option 6.

• San Bernardino County COVID-19 Public Information Line (Non-medical related inquires): 909-387-3911.