The Brian Lehrer Show Feeding Senior Neighbors
Nov 20, 2025
Beth Shapiro, CEO of Citymeals on Wheels, shares insights on elder hunger in NYC, revealing that one in ten seniors lack reliable access to food. She highlights the challenges of mobility that prevent these older adults from shopping and cooking. With about 65% of recipients living on $15,000 a year, the rising costs of groceries exacerbate their struggles. Shapiro discusses the impact of federal funding cuts and encourages listeners to volunteer or donate, reminding everyone that every effort can help eliminate elder hunger by 2040.
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Homebound Seniors Face Severe Mobility Limits
- City Meals serves homebound New Yorkers 60+ with an average age of 87 and over 500 centenarians.
- Many recipients are too frail to shop or cook so meals and pantry items are delivered to their doors.
Low Incomes Amplify Food Insecurity
- About 65% of City Meals recipients live on $15,000 a year or less in NYC.
- Rising grocery costs (up 33% over a decade) force trade-offs among rent, meds, air conditioning, and food.
Losing Federal Data Harms Targeting Efforts
- The USDA household food security report identifies geographic hunger hotspots like the South Bronx.
- Ending that federal report leaves policymakers and nonprofits "going blind" about nationwide food insecurity patterns.