history & leadership

Meals on Wheels of Staten Island, Inc. is leading the effort to make sure the elderly people in our community receive nutritious meals and the human connection they need to help them live independently.

We currently serve over three-quarters of a million meals per year to our clients.

Meals on Wheels delivers two meals (one hot and one cold) each day, five days a week, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., except for major holidays. Three frozen meals can be delivered on Saturday morning for weekends.

Seniors Served Each Day

Meals Served Each Year

Active Volunteers

administration & board

Administrative Staff:
Joseph Tornello, LCSW, President/CEO
Roseann Holt, Vice President/COO
John Fiore, CFO
Madhura Nanayakkara, Deputy CFO
Gerard O’Leary, Executive Chef

OFFICERS:
Steven V. Gattullo, Chairman
Jean R. Ringhoff, Vice-Chairwoman
Christopher Rubano, Treasurer
Mary-Beth Francis, Secretary
Michael Assenza, Member at Large
Eric Feldman, Member at Large
Annamarie Gulino-Gentile, Esq. Member at Large
Mark Russo, Member at Large

DIRECTORS:
Thomas Beyar
Sheldon Blackman, PhD
Michael Bloomfield
Gerald V. Burt, Sr.
Jasmine Cardona
Killian Tormey Clifford
Anthony Danna, Esq.
Laurie Guinta
John Lauria
Gary LiGreci
Edwina Frances Martin, Esq.
Peter F. Martin, Esq.
Pankaj Patel, M.D.
Jeanne Sarno
Michael Scamardella
Mark Tranchina

William J. Frew, Jr. Esq., Emeritus
Olga Gaeta
Linda Walsh
Emeritus

Joseph Tornello, LCSW
President, CEO

our story

During late 1971, early 1972, a group of community activists met to determine how the nutrition of an increasing number of homebound elderly could be met. 

In l972, the organization was incorporated and the delivery of meals began to 28 residents of the Westerleigh and Willowbrook areas of Staten Island. A total of 25 volunteers delivered these meals on a daily basis. For 28 years, meals were made at local hospitals and picked up for delivery to the recipients.

In 1990, Meals on Wheels purchased land adjacent to the office building on Port Richmond Avenue and in 2001, a state-of-art kitchen was constructed using funds donated by local banks; State of New York funding agencies; local community businesses; and individuals. The new kitchen became fully operational by Spring 2002.

1971: The vision

A local  group of community activists met to determine how the nutrition of an increasing number of homebound elderly could be met.

1972: incorporation

The organization was incorporated and the delivery of meals began to 28 residents of the Westerleigh and Willowbrook areas of Staten Island. A total of 25 volunteers delivered these meals on a daily basis.

1990: facility purchased

Meals on Wheels purchased land adjacent to the office building on Port Richmond Avenue

2002: state of the art kitchen

A state-of-art kitchen was constructed using funds donated by local banks; State of New York funding agencies; local community businesses; and individuals. The new kitchen became fully operational by Spring 2002