Photo Flash: ON YOUR FEET Cast Lends a Helping Hand at Citymeals-on-Wheels

Broadway was Brooklyn bound this morning as the cast and crew of On Your Feet! - the new Broadway musical based on the life and music of Gloria and Emilio Estefan - got on their feet, rolled up their sleeves and worked a bustling assembly line packing up huge Emergency Food Packages (EFPs) at the Citymeals-on-Wheels warehouse in Williamsburg.

Each 20-pound EFP contains the equivalent of 12 shelf-stable meals and will be delivered to the homes of more than 18,000 Citymeals recipients before Thanksgiving. EFPs ensure homebound elderly New Yorkers have sufficient food on hand in case harsh winter weather or other emergencies delay their regular meal deliveries. In years past, EFPs have prepared Citymeals recipients for emergencies like Hurricane Sandy, blizzards and blackouts.

Working the assembly line was Beth Shapiro, Executive Director of Citymeals-on-Wheels, and four "On Your Feet!" cast and crew members including Alma Cuervo, who plays Consuelo, Eric Ulloa, ensemble and is an Emilio understudy, Maria Torres, associate choreographer, andShannon Hammons, assistant stage manager.

Shapiro commented, "Citymeals is a true lifeline to our frail aged neighbors who are isolated, and these Emergency Food Packages ensure their kitchen cupboards will be stocked with nutritious meals throughout the winter. Thank you to the 'On Your Feet!' cast and crew who took the time out of their extremely busy schedules to help pack up these vital meals for homebound elderly New Yorkers."

Citymeals-on-Wheels (citymeals.org) provides a continuous lifeline of nourishing meals and vital companionship to New York City's homebound elderly. Working in partnership with community-based organizations and senior centers, Citymeals prepares and delivers over 2 million weekend, holiday and emergency meals to more than 18,000 of our frail aged neighbors each year. Last year, over 15,000 individuals volunteered nearly 69,000 hours of their time.

Since its founding in 1981, Citymeals has relied on the generosity of its Board of Directors, the City of New York, sponsors and other designated gifts to cover administrative costs. This ensures that 100% of all public donations go directly to the preparation and delivery of meals.

Photo Credit: Eric Groom