The Citymeals Blog

In late October 2012, Hurricane Sandy ravaged New York City with unprecedented ferocity. Power outages, flooding, fire, and major structural damage affected millions of residents. I was lucky enough to live in an area where strong winds felled some trees – otherwise, my neighbors and I escaped the chaos and destruction. It was at this time I considered more carefully the city’s varied demographics and what vulnerable populations might be suffering from a lack of storm-related city services. While I had previously donated to Citymeals on Wheels, this natural disaster compelled me to volunteer my time in the collective effort to feed homebound seniors who depend on regular meal deliveries.

Since that time, my involvement with Citymeals has grown into a full-fledged commitment to the cause by raising awareness and regularly assisting with Saturday morning meal deliveries. My experience has been deepened by like-minded individuals who are also devoted to the belief that New York City’s elderly deserve to have their basic needs fulfilled. I joined the Friends of Citymeals when it was established in 2016, and since then we’ve dedicated ourselves to engaging with our respective networks, to include friends, family, and colleagues, and promoting the value and importance of serving New York City’s elderly.

Outside of volunteering, fundraising – usually by way of food! – is a cornerstone of the group’s purpose. And we are hosting our first ticketed cocktail party on the evening of October 12th at Urbani Truffles USA on the Upper West Side. As a committee co-chair, I am working with Citymeals staff to plan a unique and delicious evening. Guests will enjoy savory truffle-based delicacies courtesy of Chefs Michael White, Stephanie Sarikaya and Lauren DeSteno, drink Italian beer and wine, learn about truffle foraging, and revel in the good company of the Friends.

This October, nearly five years after Sandy’s devastation, I reflect on what I’ve learned from my experiences with Citymeals. At the same time, I look forward to the future and working with the Friends of Citymeals to help the organization make strides in sustaining the quality of life for our homebound elderly neighbors.