This morning I received an email about a client who contacted our meal delivery program to say thank you. She shared that she had a heart attack, and before she had Food & Friends deliveries, she would find herself out of breath whenever she attempted to prepare a meal. She wanted to make sure we knew how much our services mean to her.
It made me think about the thousands of adults and families managing a life challenging illness who have received our meals since the beginning of the pandemic. As I reflect, I feel so grateful for you—and our incredible community of volunteers and supporters. Throughout the pandemic, you have been key to our going the extra mile for individuals living with cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and other serious illnesses.
You helped us respond to the first wave of COVID-19 and each wave of changes that followed and, through your support, provided the resources needed to see our way through it. What hasn’t changed is that individuals managing a life challenging illness need our nutritious, home-delivered meals.
Our health care partners who refer clients tell us that their patients are showing up to doctor’s offices sicker, having missed regular health screenings because of the risks of COVID-19. We could not have responded to this increase in need without you!
Your extraordinary compassion, along with other donors, volunteers and the dedication of our staff allowed us to increase our meal production and home-deliver 1.59 million meals this year. Not only have you helped us prepare and deliver more medically tailored meals, but you have helped us reach more people struggling to manage their illness.
Over the past 12 months, the total number of seriously or chronically ill adults and children enrolled to receive our home-delivered, medically tailored meals each month has more than doubled—from 1,615 individuals a year ago to 2,756 individuals receiving meals this month. We have never experienced an increase like this before. Your support made it possible for us to respond to the increased number of families needing our help.
Your partnership means families receive our meals free of charge. Your compassion helps alleviate the stress tied to managing an illness. They don’t have to worry about getting to the grocery store between doctor appointments or preparing meals when they are fatigued because of their treatment or illness symptoms. They don’t have to choose between purchasing food or paying rent. Your support gives them hope and lets them know they are not alone.
Just as you have experienced inflation, our program costs have increased dramatically. We are all feeling the pinch at the grocery store, but for the most vulnerable in our community who are dealing with a life-challenging illness, these costs are especially difficult. Food & Friends is there for them because you are there for us.
As you begin to plan your Thanksgiving this year, please remember how grateful Food & Friends is for you, and your continued acts of generosity. You have made all the difference. Please enjoy this new video story to get an inside look at our mission and some of the incredible impact you have when you support Food & Friends.
With gratitude,
Carrie Stoltzfus MPH
Executive Director Food & Friends