Danbury nonprofit to distribute holiday meals to seniors today

DANBURY — A local nonprofit will distribute hundreds of holiday meals to seniors in Danbury today, Christmas Eve.

The effort is part of The New American Dream Foundation’s Senior Hot Meal Program, which has served more than 38,000 meals to children, families and seniors in Danbury since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Saturday, volunteers with the Danbury-based organization will deliver 650 meals to senior residents at Palace View, Kimberly Place, Danbury Towers, Augustana Homes, Putnam Towers, Glen Apartments, Crosby Manor and Danbury Commons.

“We are excited to continue to provide a warm meal and safe human contact to the most vulnerable seniors in the community,” the foundation’s vice president, Emanuela Palmares, said in a statement. “Their excitement to say hello to our volunteers is what drives us to continue our monthly meal delivery program.”

The New American Dream Foundation’s Senior Hot Meal Program, which started serving children, families and seniors in 2020, caters exclusively to hundreds of seniors living in tax-credit communities in Danbury.

This year, the foundation raised more than $27,000 to purchase meals for distribution from The Amber Room Colonnade. It also received a $17,650 Administration for Community Living grant this year, which it will use to provide monthly meals to local seniors for the first eight months of next year.

The goal of The New American Dream Foundation’s Senior Hot Meal Program is to address food insecurity, which the organization says affects at least 10 percent of older adults in Danbury.

During the foundation’s holiday meal delivery, handmade greeting cards prepared by members of the National Charity League Nutmeg Chapter will be distributed along with the meals.

The New American Dream Foundation welcomes volunteers and donations, information on which can be found at thenewamericandreamfoundation.org/hotmealprogram.

“Come volunteer with us or make a donation to help us cover a meal,” Palmares said. “Every $6 ensures delivery to one Danbury senior.”

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media New American Dream Foundation Vice President Emanuela Palmares works with volunteers to deliver meals to senior citizens at Glen Apartments in 2020.