Due to illness and a tight budget, many of our city's senior citizens are no longer able to shop or cook for themselves. Confined to their apartments, they are at constant risk for hunger, malnutrition and loneliness. Citymeals-on-Wheels provides 16,000 homebound elderly New Yorkers with nutritious meals and human company everyday. Below are five chances to lend a hand that require little effort but make a powerful impact on a senior citizen in need.

1) Meal Delivery: Providing food and warm human contact, these meal deliveries are essential to their recipients. Volunteer opportunities are available throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens on weekends and select locations on weekdays.

2) Friendly Visiting: The isolated elderly look forward to these social visits all week, and volunteers report this experience as being especially rewarding.The program has a time commitment of one hour per week for at least six months and the visiting schedule is arranged between you and the senior.

3) Senior Chat: A friendly phone call can go a long way in helping homebound seniors feel safe and connected to the world. Senior Chat involves one phone call a week for six months. Calls typically last about half an hour and can be made from your home or office.

4) Senior Script: Prefer writing to chatting? Citymeals often receives "thank-you" letters from meal recipients filled with touching stories about their lives. Volunteers respond with a heartfelt, personalized message.

Learn more and download the volunteer application.

Also check out volunteer events for young professionals.