Charities and community centers across New York City provided holiday support on Christmas, including Goddard Riverside on the Upper West Side, which held its annual meal event for about 1,000 people, continuing a 45-year tradition. Volunteers served turkey and sweet potatoes and assisted guests throughout the event. Attendee Lynne E. Shannon told PIX11, “I was prepared to be alone at home,” before attending the gathering. Goddard Riverside President Roderick Jones said attendance increased this year, possibly due to higher food prices affecting residents.
Citymeals on Wheels marked its 44th year by mobilizing volunteers at its Upper East Side kitchen to deliver more than 2.5 million holiday meals to older New Yorkers, including centenarians, with a thoughtfully prepared menu featuring lamb, polenta, and salads with dried apricots and goat cheese. CEO Beth Shapiro said the effort reflected both culinary care and a commitment to supporting seniors during the holidays.
At the Carter Burden Luncheon Club, more than 15,000 meals were delivered, offering companionship as well as food to seniors who might otherwise spend Christmas alone. As volunteer Melissa O'Dell said, "We get a list, we go deliver, and you go and meet a senior that a lot of times they are shut-ins. (They) don’t even get out of the house," as per NBC New York.
