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, 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. The program has served children and families served nearly 8,000 meals over the spring/ summer of 2020 and an additional 9,000 to seniors summer/ fall/ winter of 2020 meals purchased at cost from The Amber Room Colonnade, a total of over 17,000 meals to date.

The TNADF COVID-19 Hot Meal Program for children and families served nearly 8,000 meals from April 13 through June 13, the end of the academic year in the Danbury area. It raised over $60,000 through small online contributions from individuals and grants from local and global corporations and foundations.

Over the summer, the foundation shifted the focus of the meal's program to support older adults and special needs adults living in the Danbury area by providing 500 meals during the summer, increasing to 650 monthly meal deliveries by the fall.

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.

On December 31, 2020, State funding was cut for local Senior Center's Congregate Meals Programs "to focus on homebound seniors." During the pandemic, "Congregate Meals Programs" at our local senior centers were converted into grab-and-go or home delivery meals for safety reasons. Therefore, seniors who are not homebound but for various reasons are unable to prepare their meals and do not quality for meals-on-wheels would have access to healthy, fresh meals. Unfortunately, with the state cuts, 52 seniors in Danbury and Bethel were left without supports.

We are currently supporting the Danbury Senior Center and the Bethel Senior Center with emergency meals due to the above-mentioned State cuts.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact Connecticut, many older residents around the state are feeling scared, confused, and isolated. Our program provides 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 through the Summer of 2021, when we hope vaccination will be a reality for most.  

Here are our next delivery dates:

January 16 from 11:15 - 12:00 PM 

Feb. 13 from 11:15 - 12:00 PM

March 13 from 11:15 - 12:00 PM 

We are all in this together. Collaboration is the only way we will get through this, and you have made a difference in our community, and for that, we thank you! But the fight continues, and so does the need for your support.

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

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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…

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CLICK BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR EFFORTS:

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

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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