Senator Klein Announces $100,000 in State Funding for Emerald Isle Immigration Center’s Meals on Wheels Program

Local Meals on Wheels program doubles capacity; serves more than 10,000 hot meals annually thanks to funding secured by Klein

WOODLAWN, NY – State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) and Siobhan Dennehy, executive director of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center, together with local volunteers and Bronx seniors, today announced $100,000 in state funding for Emerald Isle Immigration Center’s Meals on Wheels in The Bronx.

First established in 2011, the Meals on Wheels program has since doubled in size — now delivering more than 10,000 meals to homebound seniors annually. Senator Klein met with local volunteers and delivered a hot meal to a Woodlawn senior.

Senator Klein said: “In a community where the senior population is nearly two times that of the rest of The Bronx, Emerald Isle Immigration Center’s Meals on Wheels program provides an invaluable service to Woodlawn seniors. This year, I’m proud to have secured $100,000 in state funding for Emerald Isle’s program to help build capacity and expand enrollment. I look forward to partnering with the Emerald Isle Immigration Center to improve the quality of life and increase access to services in the community for many years to come.”

In just four short years, Senator Klein has allocated more than $250,000 to Emerald Isle Immigration Center Meals on Wheels, including initial funding that jump-started the program in 2011. Since then, the local Meals on Wheels program has become a service on which many local seniors depend. Each day, the program delivers 30 to 40 hot meals to community members. The funding secured by Senator Klein in this year’s state budget will go toward capacity building and expanding the program.

Siobhan Dennehy, executive director of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center said: “We have seen first-hand the benefits that delivering a meal can make to this neighborhood. Quite simply, this program and its reliable connectivity can transform and even save lives. We are truly grateful to Senator Klein for his vision and support of our community by ensuring this funding was continued for another year. To date, we have served more than 10,000 meals and with the help of our amazing staff and volunteers are already planning delivery of the next 10,000.”

Josephine O’Donahue, a Woodlawn senior, said: “Thank you Senator Klein for delivering for Bronx seniors. I have been a member of Meals on Wheels for over a year now and I can say without a doubt that this program has come to play a vital role in many seniors lives. I applaud Senator Klein’s efforts to help improve access to services in Woodlawn and I look forward to the Meals on Wheels program’s continued expansion in the community.”