Letter: Seniors won't go without meals
An elder care nurse holds the hand of an woman in a wheelchair (Feb. 25, 2008) Credit: AP
It was very disheartening to open Newsday and see such a bold, in-your-face headline as "Left wanting: Seniors disappointed at closure of nutrition programs" [News, Feb. 28] -- disheartening, because this was a very misleading headline. The Senior Nutrition Program has not ended; rather it is being transitioned from the care of one agency to another. Everyone entitled to receive meals will continue to receive meals.
Yes, the locations of where the meals are served will change. It is understandable that people might be a little nervous about that change; however, these are wonderful, established facilities within 10 to 15 minutes of the Coram and East Patchogue sites. As stated in the article, those who need transportation will continue to be provided transportation.
The Red Cross contract to perform these services ended Dec. 31. By the fall, no replacement had been identified. To ensure that these vital services continued, we extended our services. If the Town of Brookhaven had not agreed to take over the program, we would have continued our extension until Suffolk County found a replacement.
Every step of the way, we promised ourselves that we would not leave the seniors in the lurch.
Like any organization, we must continually look for the means to operate more efficiently. Being a nonprofit, we must make the best use of donor dollars.
I am confident that the seniors who use the program will continue to receive the comfort and care they so richly deserve.
Sam Kille, Mineola
Editor's note: The writer is the regional communications director for the American Red Cross' Greater New York Region.
