06/23/2026
Older adults need to eat every day—our system should reflect that.
But right now, in practice, meals are only funded by the city Monday through Friday. Weekend meals are underfunded and covered by a patchwork of private charity to fill the gap. At Encore Community Services, we produce and deliver thousands of meals each week – even with a gap, because we think older New Yorkers deserve to eat every day.
Right now, human service organizations like Encore are being asked to stretch limited resources to meet a basic need that should be guaranteed.
There is a path forward. We have legislation Intro 280, now currently in front of the city council. Intro 280 would require New York City to guarantee home-delivered meals 365 days a year—ensuring older adults receive the nutrition they need every day of the week.
When nonprofits have to use philanthropic support just to cover weekends, those dollars can’t do what they’re meant to do:
➡️ Expand capacity
➡️ Deliver more meals
➡️ Reach more older adults and clear waitlists
We don’t need short-term fixes—we need structural reform.
Intro 280 is an opportunity to get this right. A $30 million investment through NYC Aging would ensure 365-day meal coverage and:
✅ Establish a true 7-day baseline
✅ Strengthen the care economy with jobs and wages
✅ Support frontline staff who make this work possible
We’re grateful to Councilmember Linda Lee for her leadership in advancing this effort.
Let’s pass Intro 280, fully fund it, and ensure organizations on the ground have the resources to provide the dignity, stability, and nourishment every New Yorker deserves—365 days a year.
NYC Department for the Aging Council Member Linda Lee Human Services Council of New York - HSC Catholic Charities of New York New York City Council
