Citymeals-On-Wheels Delivers 50 Millionth Meal

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New York's Citymeals-on-Wheels has marked a big milestone.

The charity delivered its 50 millionth meal at lunchtime on Thursday. The recipient was Florence, a 70-year-old retired schoolteacher who enjoyed a meal of curried chicken with quinoa pilaf and Brussels sprouts.

Florence, who suffers extreme scoliosis, hasn't been able to leave the house to grocery shop in almost a decade, 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reported.

"For me, I don't know what I would do without it. I wouldn't be able to make it," Florence of the Upper East Side said. "It really is a lifesaver."

"I consider myself extremely lucky," she added.

Citymeals-on-Wheels was founded 33 years ago this Christmas. It now provides about 2 million meals to 18,000 elderly New Yorkers each year.

Its homebound clients are chronically disabled. Most need assistance walking. Nearly three-quarters of them live alone.

More than 60 percent are over 80 years old. Twenty-three percent are over 90. And a few are 100 or older.

To celebrate the landmark, Mayor Bill de Blasio declared Thursday "Citymeals-On-Wheels Day."

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