At 86 years old, Juan Franceschi spends most of his days alone in his East Village apartment. But when Stacey Williams knocks on his door to deliver his lunch, the day feels a little brighter.

Williams, a food delivery worker with the Henry Street Settlement, drops off medically tailored meals on behalf of CityMeals on Wheels. For Franceschi, who relies on a cane and struggles to carry groceries, the service is a lifeline, not just for nourishment, but for companionship.

What You Need To Know

  • CityMeals on Wheels is providing a lifeline for older New Yorkers who are unable to shop for their own groceries

  • The group is also working to combat loneliness among older adults through Life Story Club

  • The program offers weekly storytelling groups online or by phone for older adults to form friendships

“When I talk to these people, and I see these people, I feel like I’m 16 or 20 or 25,” Franceschi said. “These young people make you feel good, they treat you like family and you are like you are born again.”

Those visits last less than 15 minutes and happen about five times a week. But for Franceschi, they’re enough to make him feel connected to the world outside his door.

Research by CityMeals found that 85% of its clients live alone, 40% rarely or never leave home and 8% have no one to talk to regularly — except for delivery workers like Williams.

“Life is short, and it’s not promised for anyone, so when you make these connections and you see everyone day to day, it’s a blessing honestly,” Williams said. “And to know that I’m probably the only person he’ll see on an everyday basis. It just makes me feel like I have a sense of responsibility to uphold.”

CityMeals recently began taking a more proactive approach to combat loneliness among older adults, referring dozens of clients like Franceschi to Life Story Club, a program that hosts small weekly storytelling groups online or by phone. Participants share personal stories and form friendships that bridge physical distance.

“Isolation has a negative impact on nutrition and mental health, and we’ve partnered with Life Story to bring connectivity to so many of our homebound older adults,” said Beth Shapiro, CEO of CityMeals on Wheels.

For Franceschi, the club offers a rare sense of belonging.

“Sometimes they cut me off, they say, ‘Man you’re talking so much,’” he said with a laugh.

And while he may never meet his Life Story Club friends in person, Franceschi says being part of the group gives him hope.

“I wish I could live to be 100 but I’m still going to be in that club until I die,” he said. “They treat me good. They treat me like a real human being.”