Farmingville, NY – In March 2020, COVID-19 was declared an official pandemic by the World Health Organization. One year later, the Town of Brookhaven continues to operate its enhanced Home Delivered Meal Program by delivering approximately 500 meals a day to senior citizens. From March 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021, a total of 108,309 meals have been delivered by staff from the Town’s Senior Division, more than triple the amount of meals delivered in a normal year. By comparison, during the prior year (pre-pandemic), a total of 30,902 meals were delivered to seniors through the Home Delivered Meal Program. Also, in March 2020, the Congregate Meal Program previously held at the Town’s Nutrition Centers was immediately converted to a Home Delivered Meal Program, and any senior who participated in the Town’s Congregate Meal Program was offered the opportunity to have these meals delivered to their homes by Town employees, five days a week. Funding for the Home Delivered Meal Program is provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Suffolk County Office for the Aging, through the New York State Office for the Aging. To recognize the importance of this program, the Town Board recently adopted a resolution to designate March as National Nutrition Month in the Town of Brookhaven.
Supervisor Romaine said, “Brookhaven Town has continued to meet the growing demand of seniors who have turned to our enhanced Home-Delivered Meal Program during this health crisis. This is accomplished through excellent coordination and a dedicated staff. I want to thank everyone for their tremendous efforts.”
Councilman Loguercio, Town Board Liaison to the Senior Citizen Division said, “When the pandemic arrived, Brookhaven Town made the necessary adjustments very quickly so we could continue to serve our Town residents, including providing meals to our most vulnerable population. The enhanced Home-Delivered Meal Program takes careful coordination and planning, and we are proud that it is running very smoothly through a team effort.”