SENIOR

COVID-19 HOT MEAL PROGRAM

The New American Dream Foundation, Inc. (TNADF) is a 501(c)(3) organization created to promote our nation's rich immigrant history, highlighting the cultural, social, and economic contributions of all immigrants, and the core American values of equal opportunity, progress, and freedom in the areas of education, health, and civic engagement.

Considering the impact, the COVID-19 pandemic has had on families in the Danbury area, in April of 2020, The New American Dream Foundation (TNADF) postponed its annual scholarship gala. TNADF placed all its efforts on supporting the community's immediate needs as we fight the virus through the creation of its TNADF COVID-19 Hot Meal Program. Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, the program has served children, families, and  seniors in Danbury with over 18,000 meals purchased at cost from The Amber Room Colonnade, the official venue for its annual gala. The gala has been re-sheduled for September 17th, 2021 (For more information click HERE.)

It raised over $60,000 through small online contributions from individuals and grants from local and global corporations and foundations such as the RobyDodd Family Charitable Foundation, Inc. Union Savings Bank, Savings Bank of Danbury, The United Way of Western CT, Tufts Health Plan Foundation, and of the CT Health Foundation.

In Danbury, 10.9 percent of older adults are food insecure, a University of Connecticut report has found. According to United Way, in parts of the city, food insecurity among older adults is as high as 30 percent, which believes these figures likely increased due to the coronavirus pandemic.

There are a variety of food pantries providing groceries in the area. Still, we have observed that the demand for ready-to-eat meals for the senior population is much higher than for groceries. Lack of motivation due to mental health issues, loneliness, or physical ability to prepare a meal from scratch are some of their challenges. Also, to qualify for Meals-on-Wheels during the pandemic is increasingly difficult due to high demand.

Our hot meal program has bridged that gap between homebound seniors served by Meals-on-Wheels and those who can prepare their meals and find relief in receiving groceries.

"The TNADF hot meal program has bridged that gap between homebound seniors served by Meals-on-Wheels and those who can prepare their meals and find relief in receiving groceries. We have provided hope, a warm meal, and safe human contact to the most vulnerable seniors in our community. Our plan moving forward is to continue our monthly meal delivery program," said Emanuela Palmares, TNADF Vice-President.

TNADF Hot Meal Program future delivery dates:

June 19 delivery between 11:00 and 11:30 am

July 10 delivery between 11:00 and 11:30 am

August 7 delivery between 11:00 and 11:30 am

Meals are distributed door to door at:

  -Palace View, 132 Main Street, Danbury 

  -Kimberly Place, 19 Main Street, Danbury 

  -Danbury Towers, 40 Williams Street, Danbury 

  -Bishop Curtis/Augustana Homes, 88 Main Street, Danbury 

 -Putnam Towers, 25 Beaver Street, Danbury 

  -Glen Apartments, 25 Memorial Drive, Danbury 

  -Crosby Manor, 84 West Wooster Street, Danbury 

  -Danbury Commons, 51 Main Street, Danbury 

​​

Please help if you can. To do so, please click below to volunteer or donate.

​

WHEN YOU GIVE:

-$5 helps us provide a meal for 1
-$20 helps us provide meals for 4
-$100 helps us provide meals for 20
-$250 helps us provide meals for 50
-$500 helps us provide meals for 100
Or give any amount you choose…

​

CLICK BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR EFFORTS:

​

NEWSTIMES: Nonprofits, local eateries feed Danbury students during spring break

NEWSTIMES: ‘There’s no more food’: Hundreds of cars turned away by police

NEWSTIMES:  Free hot meals to go to Danbury students

NEWSTIMES:  Danbury free meal program expands with $11,000 in donations

NEWSTIMES:  Danbury meal program to expand from students to seniors

NEWSTIMES:  Danbury group shifts meal delivery to seniors facing food insecurity

NEWSTIMES:  Holiday meals to be donated to Danbury seniors

NEWSTIMES:  'Holiday comfort': 650 meals distributed to Danbury seniors

100% OF PROCEEDS GO TOWARDS MEALS  | TO VOLUNTEER CLICK BELOW AND SEND US YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION

​

​

​

THE NEW AMERICAN DREAM FOUNDATION AT A GLANCE

The New American Dream Foundation, Inc. (TNADF) is a 501(c)(3) organization, created to serve as the philanthropic arm of Tribuna Newspaper, to promote our nation’s rich immigrant history, highlighting the cultural, social and economic contributions of all immigrants, and the core American values of equal opportunity, progress and freedom in the areas of education, health and civic engagement.

TNADF aims to provide financial support to organizations that share in those values and focus and provide financial support to inspiring members of the community through the American Dream Awards Gala & Scholarship.

MEET THE TEAM

"The foundation is vehicle to create meaningful change for generations
of immigrants to come." - Celia Bacelar Palmares