NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – Santa Claus isn’t the only one making house calls for Christmas. On Christmas Day, the organization Citymeals on Wheels plans to deliver over 25,000 meals to homebound older adults across all five New York City boroughs.
Citymeals staff will be joined by over 300 volunteers to ensure that the organization’s meal recipients are not forgotten on the holiday.
“These meals will be accompanied with a little extra snack, whether it’s, you know, a cookie, or a little cupcake, just so that they know that there’s been a little extra special feeling given to this one because it is a holiday for some. And for others, it’s just a time when their social isolation and loneliness can be even more impacted,” Rachel Sherrow, Chief Operating Officer of CityMeals on Wheels, told 1010 WINS.
Social isolation, especially among older adults, is linked to a variety of health issues and is something the New York State Office of the Aging (NYSOA) has been addressing through a variety of technology-based programs.
On Saturday, Gov. Kathy Hochul released a PSA with iconic sexpert Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the New York Ambassador to Loneliness, to give tips on handling social isolation over the holidays and to encourage New Yorkers to reach out to their loved ones, neighbors or coworkers who might be struggling.
“Being isolated can make people not want to eat, it can impact their nutrition, so having those two components are so important. Making sure they have a healthy meal, and a check-in, a phone call, just a quick hello at the door, it is very meaningful and important,” Sherrow told 1010 WINS.
“Especially on a day when folks maybe are used to being around family or others and they just don’t have that anymore,” Sherrow added.
In addition to the delivered meals, Citymeals also hosts holiday celebrations at older adult centers to share festivities with those who can get out.
Citymeals on Wheels provides nutritious meals and companionship to almost 22,000 homebound elderly New Yorkers, and since 1981, the company has delivered nearly 70 million meals.
More information about Citymeals on Wheels can be found here.