Dear Friends,

On a recent Saturday at CVS, I watched an older woman quietly count pills in her mind—trying to decide whether she could hold off on buying one medication until next month. When the pharmacist told her that Claritin-D was nearly thirty dollars and her blood-pressure medication would cost even more, she hesitated—then chose to breathe and risk her heart.

Fortunately, I was there to offer help so she wouldn’t have to choose. But not everyone is that fortunate.

As a caregiver to my mother, who is in her 80s, I’ve learned that aging in America often means facing impossible decisions—choices no one should have to make. I’ve spent years helping her navigate medical insurance: five years of bank statements, notarized letters, endless forms, and constant reevaluations. And just when you think you’ve met every requirement, the entire process starts again.

Most people don’t realize the harsh reality older adults face:

To qualify for basic medical care and food benefits, older adults cannot have more than $1,000 in a bank account. They cannot have a life insurance policy. They cannot own anything of value.  In order to survive, they are required to give up the very things that once gave them dignity, stability, and peace of mind.

If this system is overwhelming for someone with support—financial literacy, family, and resources—what happens to the older adults who have no one?

For thousands of older adults in New York, Encore Community Services is their lifeline. Encore’s case managers help older New Yorkers apply for benefits, fight for home care hours, navigate confusing regulations, and ensure they don’t fall through the cracks. And for many, Encore is the only “family” they have left.

And then there are the meals—meals that are often the only nutritious food a senior receives all day.

That’s why I’m taking the Encore Meal Challenge.  My commitment is to deliver 150 meals and raise $1,500, supporting the programs that keep older adults healthy, nourished, and safely aging in place.

This isn’t just food. A meal can prevent a hospitalization. It can relieve a caregiver. It can remind a senior they still matter.

I’m asking from my heart:
Please help me ensure no senior has to choose between medicine, food, or the dignity they deserve.
Every dollar truly makes a difference.

You can donate here.

Thank you for standing with me—and with the seniors who built our city and continue to rely on us to stand up for them.

With gratitude,
Cheryl Benoit
Board Member, Encore Community Services