City Meals on Wheels is stepping up to help feed local seniors as health officials are warning New Yorkers to stay indoors due to poor air quality.

The nonprofit put together 45,000 pre-packaged boxes containing three ready-to-eat meals that will be delivered to around 22,000 seniors across the five boroughs.  

City Meals on Wheels executive director Beth Shapiro says 1 in 10 New Yorkers experienced food insecurity prior to the pandemic.  Now though, she says they’re seeing an increase in the need for their services in some parts of New York City.  

“We had the largest meal recipients in Brooklyn,” said Shapiro. “I think everyone knows the Bronx, particularly the South Bronx, has the highest incidence of food insecurities across the country, so those are pockets of need.” 

City Meals on Wheels says it feeds about 2 million New Yorkers annually, but that the growing demand has become a challenge.  

The pre-packaged meals will be delivered to homebound seniors over the next couple of weeks, starting on June 7.