Seniors, vets get help with grocery costs

The City of Westminster is hosting an application processing day for the Westminster First Grocery Assistance Program on Feb. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Community Services Building, 8200 Westminster Blvd.

At the Nov. 9, 2022 city council meeting, the council unanimously approved a grocery gift card program to assist residents over the age of 55 or veterans. The program is intended to assist residents with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program authorizes a $100 gift card for eligible seniors and veterans who live in Westminster.

Eligible residents are required to submit an application form and proof of residency, age, and veteran status if applicable; val-

Ric Lerma, 68, an icon of Garden Grove

Ric Lerma, one of Garden Grove’s most prominent citizens, died recently after a sudden illness. He was 68.

A lifelong resident of Garden Grove, he attended Garden Grove High School and graduated in 1972.

In addition to his business operations – a window and door construction company and a cleaning firm – he was active in many organizations, serving as an officer in several of them.

id identification such as a driver’s license; and receipts dated after Nov. 21, 2022 that total $100 pre-tax in groceries from a grocery store or general purpose store in Westminster.

Residents may line up beginning 9:45 a.m. and must be in line by 2 p.m. to be served.

Gift cards are limited to one per resident, and those who have previously applied cannot reapply. Eligible applicants must be present to receive gift card. Gift cards are available while supplies last. Cards remaining will be processed on a subsequent application day on Feb. 22, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Call (714) 895-2860 or (714) 5483178 (Vietnamese) or check the city’s website for updates.

They included the Garden Grove Foundation, Garden Grove Downtown Business Association, Garden Grove Downtown Commission, Garden Grove Neighborhood Association, Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Garden Grove Hospital Board of Directors as well as the Knights of Columbus, Lions and Kiwanis.

He has been honored as Man of the Year for 2020-2021 by the Garden Grove chamber and Cypress College Man of the Year. Ric is survived by his wife, Susan, his mother, Vera, nine children and eight grandchildren.

Memorial services are planned on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at St. Columban Catholic Church, 10801 Stanford Ave., Garden Grove. Viewing and Rosary are scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a funeral mass at 1 p.m.

The City of Garden Grove has extended the application deadline through Thursday, Feb. 9, for candidates to serve as non-compensated commissioners.

Applicants must be Garden Grove residents and registered voters, be able to serve a two-year term of office, and be available to attend regularly scheduled meetings. Commissioners serve as advisors to the council, providing recommendations that become part of the city’s decision-making process.

Applications must be submitted by 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 9, 2023 and may be submitted online at ggcity.org/commissions/ applications or mailed to Garden Grove City Hall, City Clerk’s Office, at 11222 Acacia Parkway 92840.

EMPLOYMENT SOARED IN JANUARY 2023

Businesses added 517,000 people on their payroll (Shuttestock).