February 6, 2013

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy of leadership and service, Citymeals coordinated meal deliveries with several volunteer groups, corporate groups, and a civic-minded community leader. To prepare vulnerable elderly for the holiday weekend, these groups helped deliver 14,214 three-meal boxes of shelf-stable food during the week prior to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Among the groups were interns from Morgan Stanley, New York Cares volunteers, staff from the Meatpacking District Improvement Association, and presidential inauguration volunteer staff members.

On Friday, January 18, New York City Council Member James Vacca joined Citymeals Executive Director Beth Shapiro on City Island to deliver hot meals and holiday boxes. Shapiro said, “If it weren’t for these Citymeals-on-Wheels Martin Luther King, Jr. Day boxes, the long weekend ahead might mean that our frail aged would have to go without food. Thank you to Council Member Vacca for joining me and letting his older constituents know they have not been forgotten.”

Vacca added, “Every year, it is important that we find ways to celebrate the life and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He spent his entire life fighting for and helping others and in honor of his commitment and dedication, I am pleased to partner with Citymeals-on-Wheels to help deliver vital meals to homebound seniors during this holiday weekend. Many meal centers are closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, so it is imperative that these seniors receive enough food to last for three days.”

See press coverage on Citymeals’ deliveries on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.