WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 15, 2026) — Food & Friends today recognized the visionary philanthropists whose leadership investments are making its Nourish Together: Building A Healthy Community campaign possible. Together, gifts totaling over $12 million collectively are helping expand the organization’s facilities to meet the growing demand for medically tailored meals and strengthen the future of Food Is Medicine throughout the Washington, D.C. region.
The Robert I. Schattner Foundation’s $5M lead gift is an extraordinary contribution towards nourishing future generations of neighbors in need. The Foundation’s generosity is a transformational investment in Food & Friends’ effort to double its meal production capacity and expand access to medically tailored meals, groceries and nutrition counseling for neighbors living with serious illnesses over the next decade.
“What has always set Food & Friends apart is its humanity,” said Sid Bresler, President and Chairman of the Robert I. Schattner Foundation. “It meets people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives with respect, life-sustaining support, and genuine compassion. We are proud to stand alongside Food & Friends as it begins this exciting new chapter.”
Food & Friends also proudly recognizes six Cornerstone Partners, whose leadership gifts of $1 million to $4,999,999 are helping build a healthier future for the region:
- Anonymous
- Fleur S. Bresler
- Walter and Karla Goldschmidt Foundation
- Government of the District of Columbia
- The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation
- The Washington Home
“These remarkable partners are investing in more than a building; they are investing in the health, dignity, and future of thousands of our neighbors,” said Carrie Stoltzfus, MPH, Chief Executive Officer of Food & Friends.
Food & Friends, the region’s only full-scale medically tailored meal provider, will prepare and home-deliver nearly 2.2 million medically tailored meals for more than 6,000 individuals living with a serious or chronic illness such as HIV, diabetes, sickle cell, to mention a few. This more than doubles the number of meals produced just six years ago and more than triples the number of individuals receiving meals in a single year.
40-year history and will enable the organization to double meal production capacity over the next decade and enhance volunteer and client spaces.
Phase one of construction adding a 17,000 square foot addition is expected to be completed in May 2027; the renovation of our current facility is expected to be completed in 2028. To learn more about the building expansion and campaign or support its vision, visit expansion.foodandfriends.org.
About Food & Friends
Food & Friends is the Washington, D.C. region’s leading authority on Food is Medicine and the only full-scale medically tailored meal provider. In addition to providing meals, the organization also provides medical nutrition therapy to neighbors living with cancer, HIV/AIDS, and other serious illnesses. Food & Friends’ services are free of charge to recipients who qualify solely based on their health status and nutritional needs, including for their dependents and caregivers. Monday-Saturday, staff and volunteers deliver to 6,172 square miles including the District of Columbia, nine counties in Maryland, and seven counties and six independent cities in Virginia. Nearly 2.3 million meals will be delivered to more than 6,000 seriously ill adults and children in 2026. Since 1988, Food & Friends has delivered more than 34.5 million meals to 56,000 individuals. The organization is accredited by the national Food is Medicine Coalition.
For more information, visit FoodAndFriends.org or on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and TikTok.