Dear Friends,
The autumn season at Food & Friends is a time of extraordinary caring for the adults and children with life-challenging illnesses who depend on us every day, as we’ve already begun preparations to host hundreds of additional volunteers to help us prepare and deliver over 4,500 meals this Thanksgiving.
Our dedicated staff and volunteers will provide 1.9 million medically tailored meals to over 5,000 people this year, which is 75% more than we did four years ago. Each meal is prepared with love and delivered to someone for whom Food & Friends is their only option for clinically appropriate nutrition. And each one of those meals is made possible because of your support, and each person we serve is counting on us, and on you.
We are in a new chapter today, with more people both locally and nationally recognizing that good access to healthcare must include medically tailored meals and nutrition counseling for those facing serious illnesses. We know that food is medicine. More people are taking notice of the essential clinical and social services provided by Food & Friends. This recognition is due to the magnificent work of our dedicated staff, our incredible volunteers, and you as our supporters.
First Lady Jill Biden shared a message with us this summer via video at our 30th Anniversary Chef’s Best dinner observing that, “for decades Food & Friends has helped communities work as one to support those with life-changing illnesses like cancer, and HIV.” This recognition would not have been possible without a community of neighbors who care so deeply and act with compassion.
We enter people’s lives at a time when they are facing the unexpected, and we provide friendship, stability, and dignity by delivering food that is designed to meet their individual health needs every week, free of charge.
One of the 5,000 people we will serve this year is Margaret Patterson. She is a 20-year Air Force veteran who lost her eyesight due to Multiple Sclerosis. She was delighted to find that the meals we provided were not only perfect for her health, but the flavors reminded her of her childhood.
She shared, “The oregano, and thyme, and the fennel. It is like just reconnecting with flavors I had not eaten for many years.” She told her healthcare providers about the work you make possible, and she helped us reach more patients. She reported that “they both were very happy and appreciative to get the referral for Foods & Friends.” We are neighbors helping neighbors.
As we look ahead to what will be asked of us in the coming years, we plan to expand our facility to accommodate the increased need, because we do not ever want to tell someone like Margaret they need to wait. With your help, we can make a difference in the lives of not only individuals but also deeply rooted issues impacting the health of our most vulnerable neighbors.
With you in our corner, the future of Food & Friends inspires greater hope. I am excited to work together in 2024 and beyond. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me via email at cstoltzfus@foodandfriends.org.
Please view an update on our impact here:
VIEW 2023 IMPACT SNAPSHOT
With gratitude,
Carrie Stoltzfus, MPH
Executive Director