April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and it’s a great time to highlight the incredible work of Citymeals on Wheels. This organization has about 17,000 dedicated volunteers who help deliver food and companionship to New York City’s older adults.
One of these volunteers is Letisha Gary. She grew up in Harlem and the Bronx, and now lives in Parkchester. Since Thanksgiving 2024, she has volunteered with Citymeals on a weekly basis. Last year alone, Letisha and her team delivered over 275,000 meals to 3,700 seniors who struggle to get to the grocery store.
Many seniors in New York live in poverty. The average Citymeals client is 87 years old, often surviving on less than $15,000 a year. This financial strain makes it tough for them to afford food or even leave home, putting them at risk for malnutrition and loneliness.
Letisha’s work takes her all over the city. She often visits the Carter Burden Luncheon Club on the Upper East Side and parts of Brooklyn. She’s also part of a shopping buddy program, where volunteers shop alongside clients to make food access easier. Letisha believes that volunteering is a way to give back to her community. “For me, it’s filling a gap that they need,” she says.
Even with her busy life, Letisha finds time to volunteer. She mentions that Citymeals makes it easy for anyone to get involved. “You can choose different opportunities based on when and where you are available,” she explains.
This hands-on approach brings real connections. Letisha feels she’s making a difference, saying, “Sometimes, this is the only interaction they have that isn’t transactional. It feels good in both directions.”
Katie Barth, director of program initiatives at Citymeals, highlights the importance of volunteers like Letisha. She says that volunteers are essential in reaching seniors across the city’s neighborhoods. With the growing affordability crisis, many seniors find it increasingly difficult to access food. About 30% of Citymeals clients receive SNAP benefits, and recent cuts to this program have left nonprofits scrambling. To adapt, Citymeals now offers breakfast boxes and mobile groceries, acknowledging that one meal a day isn’t enough for many seniors.
Barth emphasizes the unique challenges seniors face today. The organization is also working with CUNY on a study of clients experiencing severe food insecurity, which might shape future programs to better meet the needs of the community.
Citymeals has its distribution center at the Hunts Point Market in the Bronx, where they store 50,000 emergency meals. This center is not just a pantry but a crucial logistical hub.
While many rush to volunteer during the holiday season, Letisha and Citymeals want to remind everyone that there’s always a need. “This need exists year-round,” she stresses.
As New York continues to battle issues of food access and affordability, the role of volunteers is more important than ever. Every effort counts, and each meal delivered makes a big difference in someone’s life.
To learn more about Citymeals and how you can help, visit Citymeals on Wheels.
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