Seniors at the Soundview Houses say they could not get the attention of the New York City's Housing Authority, until a report by NY1.

Our cameras were there as they demanded that NYCHA restore their meal program at the center. After contacting NYCHA several times but getting nowhere, they took to the streets. Some were so upset, they were in tears.

“We want our dignity,” said Carolyn Johnson, a woman who depended upon those NYCHA meals. “We want to feel like we still matter. Just because we’re old, we don’t get thrown away in the trash.”

After a few weeks, NYCHA has started serving meals to them again.

“It made us feel happy because we were almost a year and a half without lunch,” said Angelita Ruiz, another woman who depended upon the meals. “Since Channel 1 [sic] news came two or three weeks later we had our lunch.”

Angelita Ruiz has limited mobility, and says that while some of her friends traveled to another NYCHA senior center for meals and activities, she was stuck at Soundview Houses.

She says that with the return of the meal programs, many people who used to attend activities at Soundview Houses center have returned, too.

“The attendance is very important because that’s the only way they can keep the center open,” said Filomena Orpilla. “And we need it. People don’t realize that we need a place to go to.”

“We are still like a family because if something happens, we’re going to pull together,” said Eleanore Jones, President of the Advisory of S. H. Senior Centers. “And you did last time and it worked. Yes it did. All of us weren’t out there but it still worked.”

It’s a partial program, lunch is served three days of the week. But the seniors say it goes a long way.

“You save a little bit,” said Lucy Sarauw. “For me, I used to buy something and bring it in. Now I don’t buy it. So it’s a little bit of change in my pocket.”

Now that food service is back, she has some suggestion for the menu, but, for now, she says she is just grateful to be breaking bread with all of her friends again.