NY Cares

I have been volunteering with Citymeals-on-Wheels for over six months.  On the Saturdays that I participate, I love being able to share my morning with appreciative seniors, as well as eager volunteers.  I very much enjoy the chance to deliver meals and share a smile with the homebound elderly, yet lively and however so grateful recipients.

-Julia

Volunteer: Erika

I started volunteering with Citymeals-on-Wheels through NY Cares in February 2010 and I became a team leader for the NY Cares Citymeals-on-Wheels project in June 2010

When I first started to think about volunteering, I quickly identified an interest in projects dealing with hunger. The need for nourishment is one of life’s most basic, critical needs and one for which we can all identify. The awareness of suffering experienced by those facing hunger struck me particularly deep; as I considered projects I worried I would not have the strength to confront the issue. Then I found Citymeals-on-Wheels, and the Borinquen Senior Center in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.  I was welcomed and engaged by an enthusiastic team leader and found the Borinquen staff and other volunteers to be warm, lively and focused on the project at hand. I learned how much the project meant to meal recipients — not just for the meal, but for the visit from a caring fellow New Yorker. My fears quickly melted away and several months later I began leading a monthly New York Cares project with Citymeals-on-Wheels.

Each month I learn and am reminded of the spirit of people. I enjoy every project and recently gained new appreciation for the services Citymeals-on-Wheels provides. My grandmother recently became a recipient for a meal delivery program in her home state. Citymeals serves a community who for so long served us: our parents, grandparents, teachers, mentors, friends, an endless list of our neighbors that were here before.

-Erika

I’ve been volunteering with Citymeals-on-Wheels since August of 2009.  What motivates me do this project is the interaction with the elderly who paved the way for us to be successful as well as working with the project partner who are amazing.

-Stacy