ARLINGTON, Va. -

Anna Maria Chavez of the National Council on Aging, or NCOA, says many families are seeking ways to support their older loved ones during the COVID-19 crisis.

“We are grateful to Lyft for stepping in to allow our senior centers to make free rides available to caregivers who need it the most during this crisis,” said Chavez, who is NCOA executive vice president and chief growth officer, in a news release.

Chavez is referring to a partnership between NCOA and Lyft to meet what they say are critical transportation needs of caregivers supporting homebound older adults during the outbreak.

Noting that older adults and people with chronic health conditions are at higher risk for severe complications from COVID-19, NCOA and Lyft say that is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that as much as possible, they stay at home during community outbreaks.

Lyft is piloting the project with the following NCOA member senior centers: AgeOptions in Oak Brook, Ill.; Brookline Senior Multi-Service Center and Transportation Resources, Planning & Partnership for Seniors in Brookline, Mass.; and Jewish Family Service of San Diego and On the Go in California.

The centers will receive a grant donation to support distribution of $15 and $25 Lyft ride credits for caregivers needing access to transportation to deliver food and supplies to their older loved ones staying home to avoid coronavirus exposure.

Lyft and NCOA say they plan on expanding the pilot to additional senior centers across the country.

MUH-TAY-ZIK/HOF-FER is an agency providing creative support for the project, and the agency’s chief creative officer and co-founder, John Matejczyk, said every good brand is useful.

“But these times call for every brand to be helpful,” Matejczyk said in a news release.

He said, “This program is an example of Lyft, NCOA, and their partners all stepping up to figure out how to be most helpful, together. We’re excited to continue to apply creativity against big problems with these great organizations.”