Winter is coming and Citymeals on Wheels is getting the most vulnerable New Yorkers ready for a potentially tough and cool season.

Dozens of nonprofit volunteers and staff last week prepared thousands of vital food packages (EFPs) at their Bronx meal distribution center for elderly New Yorkers.

As the threat of COVID-19 still casts a shadow over the big apple, Citymeals believes that this season combined with the winter storms is particularly brutal for older adults who are isolated from the outside world, so they are dependent on food to be delivered.

“As the pandemic continues into its second winter, it is imperative to ensure that our vulnerable elderly neighbors have nutritious food available,” said Citymeals on Wheels CEO Beth Shapiro. “The 20,000 returning elderly New Yorkers we serve are the hidden hungry – no longer able to shop, cook or even go to a pantry. These special care packages ensure that they have food in their cupboards and a nourishing lifeline when they need it. ”

On October 5, the Bronx Emergency Meal Distribution Center was busy with activity as boxes filled with non-perishable food were packed, sealed and stamped for over 20,000 recipients. Within these life-saving boxes lay nutritious meals, including chicken and salmon, brown rice, vegetable bowls, apple sauce, oatmeal, and treats such as cocoa and low-sugar cookies.

“This is our emergency lunch package with four meals that we will distribute to our returning elderly. We have some nutritious items, but also treats, ”said Liz Cantillo, operations manager for Citymeals Emergency Meal Distribution Center, presenting an Emergency Food Package. She added that the items are not just bland shelf-stable food, but are also well-balanced delicious items — from hot chocolate to the cold nights to meals that are to be eaten like chicken and lasagna.

Since the start of the pandemic, 4.3 million meals have been delivered to the elderly (an increase of 10% since 2020) who are at risk of starvation. Some of these older adults live on a fixed income as well as are unable to leave their homes and buy groceries on their own, leaving about 14% of them with only one meal a day, according to Citymeals.