Schnippers Delivers Meals to Homebound Elderly in Midtown Manhattan

The Schnipper brothers present check to fund the preparation and delivery of meals for  New York City’s frail aged

(January 12, 2016 – New York, NY) – Today, brothers Jonathan and Andrew Schnipper of Schnippers prepared and delivered special meals to homebound elderly New Yorkers in Midtown Manhattan as part of the Chefs Deliver for Citymeals program.

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.

The Schnippers, who prepared 100 meals of grilled chicken, macaroni and cheese and vegetables, hand-delivered some of the meals to Citymeals recipients living in Midtown Manhattan. The remainder was delivered to recipients in the Mill Basin area of Brooklyn, where the Schnippers were raised.

“With the cold weather finally here, thousands of the city's homebound elderly become even more dependent on Citymeals as a real lifeline,” noted Citymeals Executive Director Beth Shapiro, who joined the Schnippers on the deliveries. “Thank you Andrew and Jonathan for helping us provide nourishment and comfort to so many in need.”

“It's important for us to give back to Mill Basin, a neighborhood where we have great memories growing up,” Jonathan Schnipper added. “We're very grateful for this experience and look forward to working together again with Citymeals.”

Before delivering meals, the Schnippers presented an $8,914 check to Citymeals on Wheels –proceeds from their participation in a Citymeals fundraising initiative called “Sweet September.”

Through the “Sweet September” program, New York City eateries donate a portion of the sale of specially designated “Sweet September” goodies or desserts to Citymeals during the month of September. Schnippers donated $1 from every milkshake sold and raised $8,914, enough to provide 1,388 meals.

“Jonathan and I were thrilled that Schnippers was involved with Sweet September for two years in a row,” said Andrew Schnipper. “It's one thing to raise money for a great cause, but for us to have the chance to deliver meals today and interact with those who are directly benefiting is inspiring.”

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 300 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 69,000 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.