Food & Friends' Favorite Moments of 2016!

Thanks to you, our amazing and supportive community, 2016 was another tremendous year here at Food & Friends. Here are a few favorite memories and milestones from our staff!

Longtime volunteers in the kitchen

… We are so proud that Food & Friends delivered its 20 millionth meal in 2016. If you lined up 20 million of our home-delivered meals, the line would stretch all the way from Washington, DC to Los Angeles!

… Our 2016 Volunteer Appreciation Night was a truly inspiring night. To see and spend time with our volunteers that have dedicated over 10, 15, 20, even 25 years to Food & Friends gave us chills, and reminded our staff why we do what we do. It was a testament to Food & Friends and the outstanding volunteer community we are so lucky to have!

Volunteers recognized for their service

… Food & Friends drivers out-maneuvered 2016’s Snowzilla and made sure every client received their meals and groceries before the storm hit!

… Food & Friends was voted Best Place to Volunteer 2016 by the readers of Washington City Paper. Thank you volunteers and everyone who voted!

Voted Best Place to Volunteer

… We were proud to honor Board Member and former Board President Chris Wolf with the first ever “Compassion in Action” award at this year’s Chef’s Best. Congratulations Chris!

… Food & Friends was also pleased to honor U.S. Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD) with the Public Servant “Spirit of Caring” Award for his profound commitment to his district, including numerous Food & Friends clients.

Chris Wolf accepts his award

… 250 pie sellers rallied across the DC area for our most successful Slice of Life campaign to date. Together, we raised more than $360,000 and served up over 9,100 pies!

… Our staff was excited to welcome members of the media for Thanksgiving, several of whom joined volunteers for special Thanksgiving meal deliveries to gracious and welcoming clients. ABC7, NBC4, FOX5, CBS9, CBS National, and WTOP all joined us to cover the big day!

NBC4 interviews a volunteer

… It was such an honor to be selected as the charity beneficiary of Ford’s Theatre’s annual production of A Christmas Carol, which raised over $88,000 for Food & Friends! Seeing the talented cast raise money and promote our mission from the stage was a highlight of the year!

Thank you to the volunteers and donors who have carried us through the year, dedicating their resources, time and effort to our community and delivering health and hope, one meal at a time!

 

Donate to Food & Friends' Holiday Toy Drive!

Food & Friends Holiday Toy Drive!

Join us in giving the children we serve a memorable holiday! Donate gifts to our annual holiday toy drive.

Food & Friends is currently accepting toys for children of all ages but are especially in need of gifts for kids age 10-17. Individual gifts should not exceed $25 and can include gift cards. We are also accepting donations of gift wrap and tape. 

Food & Friends will be collecting donations November 28^th through December 9^th, 2016. 

Please deliver donations to:  

219 Riggs Rd NE Washington, DC 20011 and ask for a member of client services upon arrival.  

For more information, contact Lola Adebiyi at ladebiyi@foodandfriends.org or 202-269-6897.

Connie: “I was living on the edge until Food & Friends came along.”

Living with cancer is challenging – no matter what the circumstances. But for those with a limited income, or no income, a cancer diagnosis can present seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Connie, 65, understands this all too well. She is one of over 2,000 breast cancer clients to have received meals or groceries from Food & Friends. Without those nutritious groceries, Connie would be skipping meals and putting her health at greater risk.

Connie learned about Food & Friends during a visit to Washington Hospital Center, where she was being fitted for a wig. “I was crying,” she recalls, “because I couldn’t afford the wig, but also because I couldn’t afford to buy food.” 

Founded at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Food & Friends expanded its mission in the year 2000 to meet the growing needs of people in our region living with cancer.

A special education professional at John F. Kennedy High School in Wheaton, Maryland, Connie was diagnosed with cancer four years ago. Since then, she has been treated with chemotherapy and radiation – twice. As a result, she exhausted her annual leave and sick leave. On top of that, she has no family in this area that she could rely on for emotional or financial support. 

At her lowest point, Connie would go the entire workday without eating. She occasionally borrowed money from co-workers for lunch. Other times she would tell them, “I’ll eat when I get home” or “I’m dieting.”

“I was living on the edge,” she says. “Until Food & Friends came along.”

Twice a month, she now receives four bags of fresh food and pantry staples through Food & Friends’ “Groceries to Go” program. With two weeks’ supply of food, she prepares healthy meals like chicken breast sautéed with onions and garlic over brown rice or turkey burgers with a side of greens. 

Connie believes that having access to nutritious food has improved her health. She has more energy and gets sick less often. In turn, she adds, “I feel more confident at work.”

“When you have cancer, you feel bad enough as it is,” Connie says. “Your self-esteem is low. You are living with uncertainly about the future. A good meal is not only a boost to your confidence, but a comfort like nothing else.”