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

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
is reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of organizations
and individuals devoted to the welfare of the community and its citizen-
ry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Meals on Wheels of Syracuse, Inc. upon the occasion of its 50th Anniver-
sary of service; and
WHEREAS, Meals on Wheels of Syracuse and other senior nutrition
programs can trace their origins to England during World War II when the
Women's Volunteer Service for Civil Defense began preparing and deliver-
ing meals to displaced neighbors and canteens to servicemen; and
WHEREAS, Following the war, the idea spread to the United States 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, Building on the model and success of the Philadelphia
program, other home-delivered meal programs were undertaken in other
American cities 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, For 50 years, Meals on Wheels of Syracuse has served the
great city of Syracuse, Southern Onondaga County, Brewerton, and the
Onondaga Reservation, working diligently to achieve its mission of
providing well-balanced and nutritious meals to the home-bound, who
might otherwise go hungry; and
WHEREAS, The program's beginnings were humble, serving only 20 seniors
a day; and
WHEREAS, 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, On the auspicious occasion of its 50th Anniversary, it is the
sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and commend Meals on Wheels
of Syracuse 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.