Chef Eric Basulto from La Fonda del Sol Cooks and Delivers Meals to Homebound Elderly New Yorkers

(October 25, 2016 – New York, NY) – The knock on the door brought a surprising delight for homebound elderly in Washington Heights when Chef Eric Basulto from La Fonda del Sol was there, in person, to deliver delicious meals as part of the Chefs Deliver for Citymeals program. Chef Basulto was proud to give back to the neighborhood where he was raised.

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.

Chef Basulto served up a menu of chicken stew with braised natural chicken, sofrito (peppers, onions and garlic), green garbanzos and Yukon gold potatoes with sides of Spanish rice and a South American pickled cabbage salad. He then hand delivered five of the meals—with a special dessert for each recipient—to isolated older New Yorkers living in Washington Heights. The remainder of the meals was delivered to other Citymeals recipients in this area.

“Our frail aged neighbors rely on Citymeals not only for nourishment, but for their emotional well-being too,” noted Beth Shapiro, Executive Director of Citymeals. “So many Citymeals recipients have outlived family and friends. The highlight of their day is often their meal delivery which always comes with a smile. Thank you to Chef Basulto for participating in this month’s delivery and brightening the day of these seniors.”

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 72,000 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.