LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Meals on Wheels of Syracuse, Inc. upon
the occasion of its 50th Anniversary of service

WHEREAS, Within every community of the great State of New York there are
certain organizations which, by virtue of their enduring commitment and
dedication, justly earn the admiration and respect of their community
for their exemplary contributions and service on behalf of others; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
such organizations which exemplify community spirit and demonstrate a
deep and continuing concern for others, and in so doing, inspire others
to do the same; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is pleased to commend Meals
on Wheels of Syracuse, Inc. upon the occasion of its 50th Anniversary of
service; and
WHEREAS, The origin of Meals on Wheels of Syracuse and other senior
nutrition programs can be traced to England during World War II, when
the Women's Volunteer Service for Civil Defense began preparing and
delivering meals to displaced neighbors and canteens to servicemen; and
WHEREAS, The idea spread to the United States after the war, when a
home-delivered meal program was initiated in Philadelphia at the request
of the Philadelphia Health and Welfare Council in January 1954; and
WHEREAS, Other home-delivered meal programs were undertaken in other
American cities building on the model and success of the Philadelphia
program, and the Meals on Wheels Association of America, now the oldest
and largest organization in the United States representing those who
provide such service to people in need, was established; and
WHEREAS, Meals on Wheels of Syracuse, the fourth Meals on Wheels
program in the United States, was founded to serve the Syracuse, New
York community on May 20, 1959; and
WHEREAS, The City of Syracuse, Southern Onondaga County, Brewerton,
and the Onondaga Reservation have, for 50 years, been ably served by
Meals on Wheels of Syracuse working diligently to achieve its mission of
providing well-balanced and nutritious meals to the homebound, who might
otherwise go hungry; and
WHEREAS, At the outset, serving only 20 seniors a day, the program's
beginnings were humble; today Meals on Wheels of Syracuse serves over
400 seniors a day more than 750 professionally planned meals, many
specifically tailored to the nutritional needs of the recipient, all
prepared and delivered by in excess of 350 dedicated volunteers; and
WHEREAS, During its 50 years of outstanding service, Meals on Wheels
of Syracuse has served more than five million nourishing meals to thou-
sands of homebound seniors, people with disabilities, and others who
otherwise might go hungry or be unable to remain independent in their
homes; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, to recognize and
commend Meals on Wheels of Syracuse, on the auspicious occasion of its
50th Anniversary, for significantly enhancing the quality of life of
those it serves and to pay tribute to its volunteers, past and present,
for their dedication and accomplishment; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Meals on Wheels of Syracuse, Inc. upon the occasion of its 50th
Anniversary; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Meals on Wheels of Syracuse, Inc.