Citymeals-on-Wheels milestone

Seventeen years ago, Ridgewood resident Marion Vessenmeyer began receiving Citymeals-on-Wheels at home, and on Christmas Day, she was given a milestone meal from the agency by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, as he helped the organization celebrate their 25th anniversary by handing out their 34 millionth meal.
Founded 25 years ago, the organization delivered its first meals - 6,000 in total - on Christmas in 1981 to homebound seniors who would have otherwise gone without lunch. Since then, the scope of the program has expanded to 2.5 million meals served annually to more than 17,500 seniors in New York City.
The program raised more than $17.5 million alone, and the Citymeals is now working on giving two meals-per-day to some of the frailest and poorest recipients, making the food more nutritious, and reaching out to socially isolated seniors.
In 2006, Bloomberg joined Citymeals co-founder and restaurant critic Gael Greene and Marcia Stein, founding executive director, to give out lunch at the Glenridge Senior Center.
&#8220The holiday season is especially difficult for our Citymeals recipients. Since 73 percent of our seniors live alone, our deliverers are often the only human contact they have all day. We now have over 800 volunteers reaching out to these lonely elderly,” Stein said.
At her home, Vessenmeyer received a heaping serving of roast beef, mashed potatoes and red cabbage.
&#8220I thought it was wonderful,” she said. &#8220It was really quite a thrill to get such a handsome man giving me my food.”
After working for more than 20 years in the accounts payable department at a company that made ship parts, Vessenmeyer quit at the age of 76 so that she would have more time to care for her husband, who had Alzheimer's disease. The couple started receiving the meals in 1999.
&#8220Every time I open the package in the morning when they deliver it, I say, ‘Oh boy, it's going to be good tonight,'” she said. &#8220It's hot when they bring it, in case I want to eat it for lunch.”
Vessenmeyer said that having meals delivered has been especially helpful since she has trouble walking. In addition, she had replacement knee surgery a few years ago and broke her arm in five places in 2006.
In addition, through Citymeals-on-Wheels, she has developed a special friendship with Desiree, the driver who brings the food to her home every morning.
&#8220We always have small conversation,” Vessenmeyer said. &#8220Sometimes it's only a few minutes if she is in a hurry.”