Living alone can be difficult for seniors, even in good times. But with a deadly pandemic raging and the need to stay inside paramount, the feelings of isolation and helplessness can be overwhelming.

Invisible Hands Deliver launched just two weeks ago and already has more than 7,000 volunteers delivering food to the elderly throughout the five boroughs.  

"Listen if we can help someone get groceries and make that person's day a little easier that's what we should do," said Simone Policano, one of the founders of Invisible Hands Deliver.

Policano said Invisible Hands Deliver is not just about bringing food to seniors.

"One woman called in to make an order over the phone, and we started talking about her granddaughter, and that is a big part of it, the social aspect, getting to talk to a volunteer over the phone," Policano said.

Invisible Hands Deliver has brought food to more than 400 homes across the city.

The city's Department of Aging also has turned the telephone into a lifeline.

"We had to switch from this whole social setting that they have had to an in-home setting," said Lorraine Cortez-Vasquez, commissioner of the New York City Department of Aging.

The department has replaced its group activities with what it calls "Friendly Visiting by Phone."

"It's connecting with people, checking in with them, seeing how they are doing, and then bringing back that information for the Department of Aging so we can supplement and support them in every way we can," Cortez-Vasquez said.

Since the department can no longer offer food at its senior centers, it's also delivering meals and creating opportunities for social interaction.

"If an older person is feeling socially isolated, they have a higher rate of depression, higher rate of high blood pressure," Cortez-Vasquez said.

Mental health experts say seniors who are homebound and alone should make a special effort to challenge themselves mentally.

"Staying intellectually stimulated with books, reading the newspaper, staying in touch with the news, said Dr. Wendy Suzuki, a professor Of neural science at NYU.

For information about meals through the Department of Aging, call 212-244-6469. To learn more about Invisible Hands Deliver, call 732-639-1579.