Chefs from Betony Cook and Deliver Meals to Homebound Elderly New Yorkers

(August 3, 2016 – New York, NY) – Homebound elderly on the Upper East Side of Manhattan were delighted when Executive Sous Chef Jack Logue, Chef de Partie Larry Nguyen and Pastry Extern Hanna Krilov of Betony arrived at their front doors to deliver a special meal as part of the Chefs Deliver for Citymeals program.

A Citymeals on Wheels initiative, Chefs Deliver brings together a rotating cast of culinary stars who, once a month, lend their talents to Citymeals – cooking and often personally delivering the meals to the doors of New Yorkers who are too frail to shop and cook for themselves. Chefs Deliver was launched in January 2014 by Citymeals Board of Directors Co-President Chef Daniel Boulud and Citymeals Board Member Chef Charlie Palmer.

For yesterday’s delivery, Chef Bryce Shuman conceived a menu of roasted chicken with wheatberry risotto and summer squash. Then Chefs Logue, Nguyen and Krilov personally delivered some of the meals with Alana Kulig, Events and Partnerships Manager at Citymeals, to isolated older New Yorkers living on the Upper East Side. This neighborhood is especially important to Chef Logue, who was raised there and is currently living in the area. The remainder of the meals was delivered to Citymeals recipients in the Bronx.

“The recent heat wave makes living in the city difficult for everyone, especially our homebound neighbors who are isolated in their apartments often without air conditioning. Chefs Deliver gives Citymeals another chance to check in on those who need the extra support in this unbearable weather,” noted Beth Shapiro, Executive Director of Citymeals. “Thank you to the Betony team for participating in this month’s delivery and helping to brighten our recipients’ day.”

Citymeals on Wheels prepares and delivers weekend, holiday and emergency meals for over 18,000 homebound elderly New Yorkers. More than 60 percent of Citymeals recipients are over 80 years old; 23 percent are over 90; more than 200 have lived at least a century. All recipients are chronically disabled by conditions such as vision loss, diabetes, arthritis and heart disease. Nearly all need assistance walking. It is estimated that 66 percent use a cane, 39 percent use a walker and 16 percent use a wheelchair. Citymeals recipients are also isolated: 57 percent live alone; 40 percent rarely or never leave their homes; 8 percent have no one with whom they can talk. Many are also at risk for malnutrition.

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About Citymeals on Wheels: Citymeals on Wheels (citymeals.org) provides a continuous lifeline of nourishing meals and vital companionship to New York City’s homebound elderly. Working in partnership with community-based organizations and senior centers, Citymeals prepares and delivers over 2 million weekend, holiday and emergency meals for more than 18,000 of our frail aged neighbors each year. Last year, over 15,000 individuals volunteered nearly 69,000 hours of their time.

Since its founding in 1981, Citymeals has relied on the generosity of its Board of Directors, the City of New York, sponsors and other designated gifts to cover administrative costs. This ensures that 100% of all public donations will be used entirely for the preparation and delivery of meals.