Citymeals on Wheels Stocks the Cupboards of Frail Aged
New Yorkers in Advance of Harsh Winter Weather 

Assembly Line Bustles as Citymeals Packs UpEmergency Food Packages for Homebound Elderly

(Wednesday, September 21, 2016 – Brooklyn, NY) – Even though temperatures are expected to reach a high of 86 degrees today, Citymeals on Wheels warehouse staff worked a bustling assembly line this morning packing up vital Emergency Food Packages (EFPs) at the Citymeals on Wheels warehouse in Williamsburg, Brooklyn that will prepare homebound elderly New Yorkers for the harsh winter weather ahead.

EFPs contain the equivalent of four shelf-stable meals that will be hand-delivered to the homes of more than 18,000 Citymeals recipients this October. The EFPs ensure homebound elderly New Yorkers have sufficient food on hand in case severe winter weather or other emergencies delay their regular meal deliveries. In years past, Citymeals recipients have relied on EFPs in emergencies like Hurricane Sandy, blizzards, ice storms and blackouts.

Joining the assembly line was Jose Luis Sanchez, Programs & Aging Initiatives Manager at Citymeals on Wheels.

In December a second EFP will be hand-delivered to the same frail aged New Yorkers, preparing them for harsh weather in the later winter months.

Beth Shapiro, Executive Director of Citymeals on Wheels, noted, “September is National Preparedness Month and a wonderful time to remember the needs of our most vulnerable neighbors. Whenever there’s a prediction of inclement weather, people flock to the grocery store to stock up on essentials.  Our homebound neighbors don’t have the ability to do that, so Citymeals puts together these boxes to make sure they are safe and ready for bad weather and emergencies.  And because they will be getting a second box in December, we can ensure that they are always prepared.”

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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.