VIRTUAL BENEFIT SUPPORTS HOMEBOUND ELDERLY NEW YORKERS 

(November, 19, 2020) New York, NY -- Citymeals on Wheels hosted its first-ever virtual benefit to support homebound elderly New Yorkers and its mission to provide a lifeline of nourishing meals and companionship for the city’s vulnerable seniors. The event raised over $800,00 to fund 100,000 home-delivered meals for older New Yorkers in need.

As a designated emergency responder for New York City’s seniors, Citymeals has been on the frontlines ensuring home-delivered meals continue uninterrupted throughout the pandemic. Since the start of the Covid-19 crisis, Citymeals on Wheels has delivered over 2 million meals to the city’s vulnerable elderly population. 

The event brought together celebrity and community supporters to honor and celebrate stories of the homebound elderly and to recognize those who make Citymeals on Wheels’ work possible. Full list of celebrity supporters included: Chef José Andrés, Christine Baranski, Christina Bianco, Citymeals Board Co-President Chef Daniel Boulud, Sterling K. Brown, David Burtka, Harry Connick, Jr., Darren Criss, Billy Crystal, Michael Douglas, Tina Fey, Neil Patrick Harris, Karlie Kloss, Michael Kors, Hoda Kotb, Jane Krakowski,  LL Cool J, Liam Neeson, Leslie Odom, Jr., Board Member Chef Charlie Palmer, Sarah Jessica Parker, Bernadette Peters, Deborah Roberts, Al Roker, Gail Simmons, Christian Siriano, Liana Stamper, Meryl Streep, Kathleen Turner, and Adrienne Warren. 

The evening spotlighted the life-sustaining work of Citymeals on Wheels, including its heroic delivery staff and dedicated volunteers, as well as supporters in the culinary community. 

Special segments included:

• A conversation with a Citymeals chef, who has been working on the frontlines to nourish elderly meal recipients, and celebrity chefs Daniel Boulud, José Andrés, Charlie Palmer and author Gail Simmons,  who are all giving back during the pandemic;
• Readings of meal recipient letters by Sterling K. Brown, Tina Fey, Sarah Jessica Parker, Bernadette Peters, Meryl Streep and Adrienne Warren; 
• A virtual visit with Citymeals Board Member Kathleen Turner and the longtime meal recipient she spends time with each week, as a volunteer;
• Comedic moments with Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka.
• Special message from model Karlie Kloss and fashion designer Christian Siriano of Project Runway; and more.  

Viewers  also had the opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the work of Citymeals on Wheels, hear from the meal recipients who rely on them and learn how to support the city’s elderly, who are at higher risk for Covid-19, remain isolated and at risk for hunger.

Since the start of the Covid-19 crisis, over 7,000 volunteers have given over 27,000 hours of support to Citymeals helping nourish their frail aged neighbors. More Than a Meal highlighted these individuals and their support to the homebound elderly throughout the pandemic. 

This event was sponsored by American Airlines, Citymeals’ Official Airline, and produced and directed by Erich Bergen. 

To view the event, visit www.citymeals.org/morethanameal. 

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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 to more than 18,000 of our frail aged neighbors each year. Last year, more than 26,000 individuals volunteered over 90,000 hours of their time to Citymeals’ mission.

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.