Food & Friends

Carl Witte’s journey of service began just two days after his 18th birthday when he enlisted in the Marine Corps. Little did he know, this was the start of a lifetime dedicated to helping others. Over the years, Carl would go on to create career training programs at the Maryland Penitentiary, analyze budgets at AARP, feed the homeless in Washington, D.C., and play a key role in the early days of Food & Friends.

In 2002, after a challenging battle with liver cancer, Carl became a client of Food & Friends, receiving our medically tailored meals and groceries. On a hot July morning in 2024, Carl was thrilled to learn that the meals dropped off by Tamara, his usual delivery volunteer, were special–that delivery included Food & Friends’ 30 millionth medically tailored meal.

Read more about Carl Witte's story and our 30 millionth meal milestone at https://foodandfriends.org/stories/carl-witte-client/

📸: Ralph Alswang

Food & Friends is excited to welcome Joe Maloney to our Board of Directors! Joe brings extensive experience in strategic communications and public affairs, further strengthening our commitment to expanding access to medically tailored nutrition services as the D.C. region’s leading non-profit in the food is medicine movement.

Joe currently serves as Senior Vice President, Strategic Communications at the American Gaming Association, leading the association’s strategic communications, research, marketing, and public affairs campaigns. His established record of success includes spearheading key policy and corporate initiatives, including the bipartisan introduction in the U.S. Congress of H.R. 4984, the D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act, and policy initiatives in Maryland and Virginia.

“We are thrilled to welcome Joe Maloney to our Board of Directors at Food & Friends,” said Executive Director Carrie Stoltzfus, MPH. “With his wealth of experience in strategic communications and public affairs, Joe will provide invaluable insight and leadership as we strive to advance our mission.”

Read more about Joe and other recent board updates at https://foodandfriends.org/news/welcoming-new-board-member-joe-maloney-and-celebrating-achievements-of-current-members/

You're invited to join Food & Friends for an insightful virtual education program, "Securing Your Future: Tools for Your Financial Planning," on Tuesday, September 24 at 5:00 pm.

In this complimentary webinar, you’ll learn about the importance of having a will, how to secure your future and care for your loved ones, save on taxes, and create a lasting legacy for the causes you care about.

This session will be led by estate planning attorney Lars Etzkorn and Ameriprise financial advisor Eric Lantz—both long-time supporters of Food & Friends. They are eager to share their expertise and guide you in crafting a financial plan that reflects your goals and values.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and take control of your future. Sign up today at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gvR5OwsySXueTMPy8S4oGQ #/registration

We are pleased to announce a new partnership with the American Kidney Fund to support our D.C. area neighbors living with renal disease through meal deliveries, patient financial assistance, and education. Through this innovative collaboration, Food & Friends will deliver medically tailored meals and groceries to people living with kidney failure who are served by AKF’s financial assistance programs.

“For people living with kidney disease, making healthy food choices is a critical aspect of managing their condition, in keeping with the philosophy of food as medicine,” said LaVarne Burton, AKF President and CEO. “AKF is proud to join forces with Food & Friends, who share our belief that everyone should have access to nutritious meals.”

To help our neighbors live healthier lives, Food & Friends and AKF will work together to empower neighbors with access to important information and resources, including the AKF Safety Net Grant Program and nutrition counseling provided by Food & Friends' registered dietitians.

“We are thrilled to embark on this partnership with the American Kidney Fund. For the neighbors we serve living with kidney disease, our medically tailored meals, groceries, and nutrition counseling are a critical lifeline of support,” said Carrie Stoltzfus, MPH, Food & Friends Executive Director. “By expanding the reach of our nutrition services through our work with AKF, we will empower more neighbors across the DC region to better manage their renal disease and improve their quality of life.”

Read more about this exciting new partnership at https://foodandfriends.org/news/american-kidney-fund-and-food-friends-partner-to-support-dc-area-residents-with-kidney-disease-for-meal-deliveries-patient-financial-assistance-and-kidney-disease-education/

Congratulations to Jennifer Trock, Food & Friends board member, on her well-deserved recognition in the ALM 2024 Women, Influence and Power in Law Awards! Jennifer was honored in the Talent Management category for her unwavering commitment to nurturing the next generation of women in the legal industry. Her leadership and vision are key in fostering diverse and inclusive teams. We are grateful for Jennifer's significant contributions to Food & Friends as a valued member of our board of directors.

🎂🎁 Can you help us say 'Happy Birthday!' to a neighbor with a life-challenging illness? Every month, Food & Friends delivers over 400 birthday cakes to individuals battling HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes, and more. For many, especially those living alone, these cakes bring a sense of dignity, joy, and connection on their special day.

But we need help stocking the ingredients to bake these special cakes each month. By joining 25 other neighbors in making a $15 monthly gift, you can help ensure that every birthday is celebrated with love and care.

Make your gift today at https://impact.foodandfriends.org/give/614373/ #!/donation/checkout?c_src=W24H&c_src2=W24H3 🎂💕

Did you know that your compassion can make a lasting impact for decades to come? It’s as simple as making a gift through your will or trust. August is National Make-A-Will Month, the perfect time to secure your legacy and support the causes you care about. A gift through your will is flexible, versatile, and convenient—and it can be as simple as one sentence.

Learn more about making a will and leaving a legacy with our free guide at https://foodandfriends.planmylegacy.org/a-guide-to-making-your-will?utm_source=stl&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AN24&utm_content=&subid=219461648&seed=1

Summer is winding down, kids are heading back to school, and we’ve got just one thing on our minds: PIE! 🥧✨ Slice of Life—the sweetest way to make a difference—is back!

Registration for pie sellers opens TODAY, and we need your help to knock another season out of the park. Each Whisked by Jenna pie sold provides a full day of medically tailored meals to a seriously ill neighbor. So get ready to do good, feel good, and SELL PIES!

Sign up to become a Slice of Life pie seller today at https://sliceoflifedc.org/seller-sign-up/

Shoutout to the incredible Popeyes team for rolling up their sleeves with us yesterday to package meals and groceries for our neighbors in need! Your ongoing generosity and commitment to serving our community never goes unnoticed. Thank you for making a difference all year round! 🐓❤

On Saturday, we had an amazing time celebrating our incredible volunteers at our Annual Delivery Volunteer Carwash! 🫧🚘🧽 We're deeply grateful for the time, mileage, and care our dedicated delivery volunteers put into bringing life-sustaining nutrition to neighbors in need. In 2023 alone, they made over 32,630 deliveries of medically tailored meals and groceries. Thank you for your unwavering commitment and all that you do!

🚨 LAST CHANCE! 🚨 Today is the final day of our Summer Food Fund, and we need your help more than ever! As the summer heat rages on, our seriously ill neighbors across the D.C. region are counting on us. Your support will go to work immediately, keeping their pantries stocked and refrigerators full this summer.

We need your help reaching our $10,000 goal by MIDNIGHT, and every gift is DOUBLED by a matching donation! Donate to the Summer Food Fund now at https://impact.foodandfriends.org/give/601697/ #!/donation/checkout?c_src=W24G&c_src2=W24G3

Ready to make a difference? We're expanding our team at Food & Friends and looking for passionate individuals to fill high-impact roles!

📣 Communications Director
👩‍🍳 Chef
❤️ Major/Philanthropy Gifts Officer

Join us in our mission to deliver hope and nutrition to our community. 💼 Apply today and be a part of something meaningful: https://foodandfriends.org/about-us/employment/

Think you know everything about protein? In our "Protein 101" webinar, Community Dietitian Nicole Pruitt walks you through must-know facts about this dietary essential. Discover what protein does for your body 💪, the differences between animal 🥩 and plant 🫘 proteins, tips for reading nutrition labels, and how to boost 🔼 your protein intake.

Check out the webinar at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8g3RrS_jn4

Ever wondered what it takes to prepare, package, and deliver over 5,000 meals a day? Get a behind-the-scenes look on one of our exciting Summer Tours! Join us on one of the six remaining dates in August or September to see our volunteers and staff in action, learn about the history of Food & Friends, and experience the community that makes it all possible.

⏱️ Don’t wait—time is running out! Sign up for a tour today at https://us12.list-manage.com/survey?u=8e002dbd546db382c77d642d0&id=c62b54739e&attribution=false

We're thrilled to celebrate board member Jacqueline D. Bowens, named one of the 25 Women Who Mean Business by the Washington Business Journal! As President of the District of Columbia Hospital Association, Jackie is widely recognized as a fearless leader moving the healthcare industry forward, focusing on mitigating bias and ensuring equal access to care.

Congratulations to Dr. Bryan Buckley on his new role as Head of Public Health at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield! As a valued member of Food & Friends' board of directors, Bryan has contributed exceptional expertise, vision, and passion to our mission. We are excited to witness the remarkable impact he will make in the community at CareFirst!

Lace up your running shoes and join the DC Brau Run Club on August 18 for a 5K benefiting Food & Friends! 🏃🏽🏃‍♀️ Enjoy a free DC Brau beer 🍺 post-run, meet new people, and learn more about Food & Friends' mission to serve seriously ill neighbors across the DMV.

The DC Brau Run Club 5K takes place at 11 am on August 18 at Duffy's Irish Pub (Cap Hill East), 1901 C St SE, Washington, DC 20003. Learn more at https://impact.foodandfriends.org/give/604611/ #!/donation/checkout

We're thrilled by the generous support our community has shown for our Summer Food Fund! With just 10 days left, we've reached 28% of our $10,000 goal. 🎯

But we still need YOUR help! Your donation today will make an immediate impact, ensuring our seriously ill neighbors keep their pantries stocked and refrigerators full this summer. And thanks to a generous donor, every dollar you give will be MATCHED up to $10,000, doubling your impact! 🙌

Don't wait—make your gift to the Summer Food Fund at https://impact.foodandfriends.org/give/601697/ #!/donation/checkout?c_src=W24G&c_src2=W24G3

🥇 It’s official: Food & Friends has been named the #1 Best Nonprofit and the #1 Best Place to Volunteer in this year's Washington City Paper readers' poll! We are deeply grateful for the passion our community shows for our mission. As neighbors helping neighbors, we look forward to continuing to share this care and kindness with thousands of seriously ill neighbors in the year ahead.

Happy International Friendship Day! Today, we’re celebrating the compassionate volunteers who put the ‘friends’ in Food & Friends! Your camaraderie, kindness, and support mean the world to us and our clients.

We recently had the honor of celebrating George Bednar's 25th Anniversary at Food & Friends! As our Deputy Executive Director, Finance & Administration, George's unmatched dedication, meticulous attention to detail, and unique style have made an indelible impact on everyone around him. Thank you, George, for your service, and here's to many more years! 🎉

Thank you to the enthusiastic team from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, who joined us last week to pack medically tailored meals and groceries for our seriously ill neighbors! Volunteer groups are essential to our mission and are a great way to give back to the community. We depend on their generosity and hard work to help pack, prepare, and deliver meals to our clients' doors.

We are excited to welcome Linda Li, our new volunteer coordinator, to Food & Friends! Linda recently graduated from William & Mary with a bachelor’s in government and a minor in gender studies. She brings two years of administrative and logistics coordination experience, and her coursework and extracurriculars at William & Mary reflected her commitment to community service and bridging social inequalities. Linda graduated Phi Beta Kappa, and speaks fluent Mandarin and conversational Japanese.

When you live with cancer or another serious illness like poorly controlled diabetes, heart failure, renal disease, HIV/AIDS or other illnesses, simple tasks like making a meal can be overwhelming or even impossible. Tracey Tierney, a social worker and palliative care lead at Virginia Cancer Specialists, has seen how challenging diagnoses and harsh treatments can compromise their ability to maintain proper nutrition.

For Tierney's patients dealing with extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms "preparing food is the last thing they want to do." But years ago, Tracey discovered an important resource for patients struggling with nutrition: Food & Friends, a D.C.-based nonprofit that home-delivers medically tailored meals to people with serious illnesses.

"I first started making referrals to Food & Friends when I worked in hospice care as a clinical social worker. Food & Friends helps individuals improve their health through medically tailored meals combined with nutrition counseling," explained Tierney.

Food & Friends serves clients with a diverse array of conditions including cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, heart disease, stage 5 renal disease, multiple sclerosis, COPD, ALS, Parkinson's, cystic fibrosis, and those receiving end-of-life care. Clients are offered 11 specialized menu options tailored to their diagnosis, medication, side effects, and personal preferences. And every client may access individualized nutritional counseling with one of Food & Friends' registered dietitians, free of charge.

For many of Tierney's patients, Food & Friends has been a game-changer, "Often, the meals from Food & Friends give them the ability to continue their treatment, because it takes a lot of wherewithal. They need to have the proper nutrition to get through it. When I tell our patients that Food & Friends is available to them, they are often surprised and thrilled to know they have an option."

And for many seriously ill patients who deal with social isolation, Food & Friends can be an important connection to the community. "All the Food & Friends Client Services staff and the dietitians have always been super friendly and helpful. One of the patients I have been working with recently told me that Food & Friends is a lifeline for him. The volunteers who deliver the meals can help alleviate social isolation, and that is another thing that sets Food & Friends apart," says Tierney.

After experiencing the impact Food & Friends has on her patients, Tierney was inspired to become a volunteer in the organization's medically tailored meal delivery program, "After I left the hospice, I decided to be a volunteer at Food & Friends, and I started doing the home deliveries in D.C. and Virginia. I was a delivery volunteer for five years."

Currently, Food & Friends works with 315 referral partners across the Washington metropolitan region including MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, The George Washington University Hospital, and managed care organizations AmeriHealth, AmeriGroup, MedStar Family Choice DC, Maryland Physicians Care, and CareFirst.

Are you a healthcare professional in the Washington metro region whose patients may benefit from Food & Friends? Visit https://foodandfriends.org/how-to-get-meals/ or contact Absa Fall at (202) 269-6820 or [email protected].

The relationships we form with our neighbors are essential to why our work is so effective. Many of our seriously ill neighbors live alone and don't have regular visitors. That's why on our clients' birthdays, we take special care to deliver a beautifully decorated birthday cake 🎂 alongside their regular food delivery. Last year, 1,515 neighbors received a cake from Food & Friends on their special day with birthday wishes from our caring volunteers.

Did you know that 1,158 Food & Friends clients participated in nutrition assessments and counseling sessions in 2023? Every neighbor we serve has access to one-on-one counseling with one of our 5 registered dietitians, free of charge. Our Nutrition Services team helps clients discuss or change meal plans, learn about food safety, manage food-related side effects of medication or treatment, and counsel clients on health goals such as weight gain or loss, blood sugar or blood pressure management, and constipation management.

🌡️ Temperatures are rapidly rising across the DMV, and we urgently need your help raising $10,000 for our Summer Food Fund. During brutal heat waves like this, neighbors count on Food & Friends to provide home-delivered, medically tailored meals and groceries, without interruption.

Thankfully, our drivers are on the road six days a week–in 100-degree heat, summer storms, and oppressive humidity–delivering essential nutrition straight to our neighbors’ front doors. By making a gift to our Summer Food Fund today, you will ensure neighbors receive the critical nutrition they need during this heat wave.

☀️ Support the Summer Food Fund now at https://impact.foodandfriends.org/give/601697/ #!/donation/checkout?c_src=W24G&c_src2=W24G3