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.
WHAT WE DO
SUPPORT | CELEBRATE | INSPIRE
EDUCATION
Providing Scholarships Through the American Dream Awards
Since 2016, The New American Dream Foundation, in the area of education with the generous support of its donors, has provided over $65,000 in scholarships to immigrant students, Immigrant parents, and immigrant veterans living in the Fairfield County area through the American Dream Awards Gala.
HEALTH
Supporting Mission Health
Day Event in Danbury
Mission Health Day is an event that provides the uninsured, underinsured with essential health screenings, services free of charge, no questions asked. Since 2016 TNADF reverts proceeds from ticket sales of its annual American Dream Awards Gala as a donation towards defraying some of the cost of Mission Health Day.
During the pandemic, TNADF shifted the focus of its health mission to quickly serve the immediate needs of our community, by recognizing the impact food insecurity has on the health of the most vulnerable among us.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Supporting Citizenship and English as a Second Language Programs
The New American Dream Foundation wants to help strengthen WERACE’s (Western Connecticut Regional Adult and Continuing Education) capacity to serve more members of our community, by providing financial support in partnership with other foundations, to offset the costs of their ESL instruction and Citizenship classes.
MEET THE TEAM
"The foundation is vehicle to create meaningful change for generations
of immigrants to come." - Celia Bacelar Palmares
CELIA BACELAR PALMARES
President / Founder
EMANUELA PALMARES
Vice-President
ANGELA BARBOSA
Executive Director
The New American Dream Foundation' s goal is to promote our nation’s rich immigrant history, highlighting the cultural, social, and economic contributions of immigrants of all generations. Each immigrant wave that has come to our state and our community has made contributions we all benefit from. Immigrants of past generations have paved the way for immigrants of today. Although the paths they have taken to reach our country may differ, they share a common goal - The American Dream. TNADF celebrates, supports, and inspires immigrants to achieve their dreams.
