December 15, 2015

Citymeals is deeply saddened by the loss of Lillian Vernon, longtime board member, trailblazing entrepreneur, philanthropist and friend. Even with her extremely successful national catalog and online retail corporation, Lillian found the time to serve thousands of homebound elderly New Yorkers through her dedicated work with us. Always a positive life force at board meetings and fundraising events, Lillian’s compassion helped provide hundreds of thousands of meals for her frail aged neighbors over the years. 

In 2012, Lillian donated a refrigerated truck for our Fresh Produce program, delivering locally grown fruit and vegetables to vulnerable older New Yorkers. Our hearts go out to her husband, Paolo Martino, her sons, Fred and David Hochberg, and the rest of her family. While she will be greatly missed, her steadfast generosity and kindheartedness will long be remembered.