From March 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021 - during the COVID-19 pandemic - a total of 108,309 meals were delivered by staff from the Town of Brookhaven’s Senior Division, more than triple the amount of meals delivered in a normal year. One year later, the Town of Brookhaven still operates its enhanced Home Delivered Meal Program, delivering about 500 meals a day to senior citizens.
By comparison, during the prior year before the pandemic, a total of 30,902 meals were delivered to seniors through the Home Delivered Meal Program.
In March 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic, 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.
“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, said Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine. “This is accomplished through excellent coordination and a dedicated staff. I want to thank everyone for their tremendous efforts.”