Woodmere native delivers Meals on Wheels during coronavirus pandemic

Gary Stricoff spent 40 years as a pharmacist, and after the Woodmere native and Lawrence High School graduate moved to Long Beach, he became a driver/distributor for Meals on Wheels, last year.

Already providing ready-made meals to seniors across the South Shore, Stricoff’s work has ratcheted up during the coronavirus pandemic making many food drop-offs each day as access to food has become more difficult during the outbreak with many restaurants closed and supermarkets having less merchandise than usual.

For his efforts, State Sen. Todd Kaminsky, a Democrat who represents the Five Towns, named Stricoff as a “Helper of the Week.” “These people need help, and they need someone to help feed them,” Stricoff said in a news release put out by Kaminsky. “I feel like I'm helping to keep people going.”

Kaminsky noted in the release that “Gary places himself in harm’s way by making these deliveries but he believes that serving our community now is more important than ever.” 

“It’s humbling knowing that there are people like Gary, who despite the known risks, spend their time on the front lines delivering meals to our senior residents,” Kaminsky stated in the release. “I am honored to recognize his courageous work helping the less fortunate in our communities get through this crisis healthy and with their bellies full.”

Each week, Kaminsky will highlight what is calling an “exemplary 9th district neighbor,” who is going above and beyond to help during the Covid-19 health crisis. To nominate a neighbor, you think is worthy of the distinction, call the senator’s office at (516) 766-8383.