CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Creating meaningful opportunities to serve seniors, engage volunteers, and connect our community across generations.

More Than a Meal

The Senior Hot Meal and Friendly Visitor Program provides warm meals, meaningful connection, and practical information to more than 650 older adults living in eight Danbury tax-credit communities.

The program reflects TNADF’s commitment to immigrants and their families across generations. Many of the seniors we serve are the sons and daughters of earlier immigrants whose work and sacrifices helped build our community. Caring for them is one way we honor that legacy while creating stronger connections between generations.

How It Began

When the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, TNADF redirected resources from its postponed American Dream Awards Gala to provide meals for local children and families. What began with 300 meals at Morris Street School quickly expanded to more than 600 meals each week across several Danbury schools.

As other food resources became available, TNADF shifted the program’s focus to seniors facing food insecurity and isolation. The program grew from one senior housing community to eight and developed into an ongoing network of meals, friendly visits, volunteers, and community connection.

“They are the sons and daughters of the previous generation of immigrants, in which every new community stands on its shoulders. Our hot meal program became our way to give back to those that helped build our community”

Emanuela Palmares, TNADF vice-president

The Friendly Visitor Difference

Every delivery is an opportunity to make a personal connection. Trained building leaders and volunteers deliver meals, check in with residents, celebrate birthdays and holidays, share important community information, and notice when someone may need additional support.

Seniors also receive handmade cards, flowers, personal-care items, and other thoughtful gifts from students, volunteers, and community partners. Any undelivered meals are redirected to local shelters, ensuring that no meal is wasted.

Community Partners

This program is made possible thanks to partnerships with:
The Amber Room Colonnade • National Charity League (Redding & Ridgefield Chapters) • Fairfield County Community Foundation • Union Savings Bank • Newtown Savings Bank • Savings Bank of Danbury • Agewell Danbury Community Council • City of Danbury • Danbury Parking Authority

NEXT DELIVERY DATES:

TNADF Senior Hot Meal Program Delivery Dates – 2026

March 14, 2026 – Regular Delivery
May 9, 2026 – Mother's Day Delivery
June 20, 2026 – Father's Day Delivery
October 31, 2026 - Halloween
November 21, 2026 – Thanksgiving Delivery
December 19, 2026 – Christmas Delivery

No deliveries scheduled:

April 2026
July 2026
August 2026
September 2026

Please note: TNADF is currently awaiting the release of state funding that has been proposed to support the program. If these funds are approved and received, we hope to resume monthly meal deliveries in the future.

All deliveries happen between 11:00am and 11:30am Volunteers are needed from 10:00am - 12:00pm