Contact: Colleen Roche 212-788-2958, Jennifer Chait (212) 788-8479
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today delivered the keynote address at the annual luncheon Meals on Wheels of Staten Island. The Mayor congratulated the not-for-profit organization on its 26th year delivering hot meals to hundreds of homebound seniors on Staten Island and praised the efforts of its 350 volunteers. Joining the Mayor at today's event were Finance Commissioner Fred Cerullo, Department for the Aging Commissioner Herb Stupp, Borough President Guy Molinari and Congressman Vito Fosella.
"Meals on Wheels provides an invaluable service to Staten Island and advances one of the most basic building blocks of any humane and civil society -- respecting the elderly," the Mayor said. "The greatest societies have always understood that older citizens deserve our respect and, when necessary, our care. We're a society that is constantly on the move, where sometimes people lack the patience, the maturity, and the sense of perspective to give our elderly citizens the esteem that they deserve. This is why Meals on Wheels is important, not only to those on the receiving end, but to the City as a whole. Your organization is what makes New York City the most generous city in the world."
"As part of this overall effort, the City is proud to support Meals on Wheels and other caring organizations throughout the City," the Mayor continued. "The Department for the Aging has funded 335 senior centers that serve 13 million meals a year, and provide 600,000 rides to homebound elderly New Yorkers who need travel assistance to medical and social service appointments. I want to thank the volunteers, employees and donors -- all of whom are critical to the fundraising, outreach, and innovative service delivery - for giving their time and money to this wonderful organization."
Established in 1972, Meals on Wheels provides two nutritionally balanced meals -- one hot meal for lunch and one cold meal for dinner, directly to homebound senior citizens six days a week. When a call is received, meals are personally delivered within 24 hours of the request. The program's 40 volunteer drivers transport between 900 and 1000 meals a day to approximately 450 to 500 homebound elderly. Meals are planned and prepared at cost by Bayley Seton Hospital, Doctors' Hospital, Sea View Hospital & Home and Staten Island University South under the guidance of a dietitian and meals can be catered to special diets.
Since 1994, the Mayor has increased funding to the Department for the Aging by more than $25 million. In addition, the City has contributed $15 million in capital funds to renovate senior centers around the City. The Mayor also raised the income ceiling for the senior citizen rent increase exemption to $20,000, which has increased the number of people receiving this important benefit by 33 percent. The City's Department for the Aging contributes $561,000 to the $1.4 million Meals on Wheels annual budget.
Currently, Meals on Wheels is conducting a feasibility study to determine whether the current system of preparation of meals should be updated. For the second year in a row, the Mayor is serving on the organization's honorary committee.
The program is open to Staten Island residents 60 years of age or older who are unable to shop or prepare their own food may receive Meals on Wheels. For further information or to volunteer, please call (718) 727-4435.