The Citymeals Blog

There’s a loneliness epidemic facing the nation, especially for those over 60. Many of the older New Yorkers we serve don’t have friends or family who can help them with at least one meal a day. Through Citymeals’ own research, we learned that more than half of those we surveyed live alone. And while 38% of them reported feelings of loneliness and depression, only 18% have accessed mental health services. 

Citymeals isn’t just addressing food insecurity, we’re also building and maintaining interpersonal connections for older people. But we can’t do it alone. We rely on our network of dedicated volunteers and community partners to reach out to our neighbors in need. 

This holiday season, Citymeals is expanding our wellness calls program in an effort to address isolation during this time of year. While most of us will be gathering with friends and family, many older New Yorkers will be alone on Christmas and Hannukah. To let them know they haven’t been forgotten, Citymeals volunteers are making 1,600 calls this season, offering them “season’s greetings” and a chance to reminisce about holidays past.

Sharing memories is the goal of Life Story Club, another Citymeals partner. Life Story Club began in the rec rooms of a few older adult centers. Participants met to tell stories from their lives, encouraging them to connect with other people their age. When the pandemic hit, weekly meetings went online and Life Story Club has remained digital, allowing those who can’t leave their homes — the most isolated — to attend. Citymeals has helped form four cohorts of meal recipients, who meet regularly, and there are more in the works.

Artist Flako Jimenez knows the power of a person’s story. In his art installation, “Mercedes, Part 1,” which ran at BAM Fisher this season, he shares the life of his grandmother, Mercedes, and his experience as her primary caretaker during her battle with dementia.

In partnership with Flako’s ¡Oye! Group, Citymeals arranged for older adults from centers in Harlem, Bushwick and Bed-Stuy to come to BAM, view the installation and share a meal together. The experience also provided them with an opportunity to discuss dementia, aging and mental health, especially when it comes to dealing with isolation. 

Loneliness is a problem that can only be solved together, by extending a hand to those who are all too often forgotten. You can do your part to remind isolated older New Yorkers that they’re not alone. We still need volunteers to help us make phone calls during the week of Christmas and Hannukah.