CITYMEALS ON WHEELS DELIVERS KOSHER FOOD PACKAGES TO HOMEBOUND ELDERLY IN TIME FOR PASSOVER

(March 31, 2017 – New York, NY) – With Passover just around the corner, Citymeals on Wheels is making sure homebound elderly members of the Jewish community in New York City have Kosher for Passover meals to enjoy during the holiday.

More than 500 volunteers throughout the city are pitching in to help Citymeals deliver the packages, which are filled with beef brisket, stuffed cabbage, gefilte fish, grape juice, matzo and macaroons – the equivalent of eight meals. In total, more than 4,000 Passover boxes will be delivered to frail aged New Yorkers in advance of Passover. The packages are, in part, made possible by a generous grant from The EGL Foundation.

Corporate volunteers come from Bloomindales, which generously donated 300 shopping bags for the delivery as part of its annual “Bag Hunger” campaign, as well as Macy’s and the Medici Group. In addition to individual volunteers, groups also come from New York City Police Department, 33rd and 34th Precincts; FDNY Explorers; Florida Gulf Coast University; Columbia University; Mission NYC; AHRC New York City; Lifespire; and Unique People Services.

Beth Shapiro, Executive Director of Citymeals, noted, “Memories of past Passover celebrations and traditions are all that most of our isolated meal recipients have left because many of those we serve have outlived family and friends. This holiday food delivery takes on increasing significance -- providing as much comfort as it does nourishment.”

Citymeals recipients are among the most vulnerable New Yorkers. All meal recipients are chronically disabled by conditions such as vision loss, diabetes, arthritis and heart disease. More than 60 percent of Citymeals recipients are over 80 years old; 23 percent are over 90; more than 200 have lived at least a century; nearly all need assistance walking. It is estimated that 66 percent use a cane; 39 percent use a walker; 16 percent use a wheelchair. Citymeals recipients are also isolated: 57 percent live alone; 40 percent rarely or never leave their homes; and 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 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.