You Make the Words "Dinner is Ready" a Reality for Our Clients

It was like clockwork. Every day after Mikaelle and Sir finished their homework, they would anxiously wait for their mom, Crystal, to fill their plates with a delicious meal. On days that they had mom’s pizza or spaghetti, the words “dinner is ready” never sounded so good.

Food & Friends home delivers meals to breast cancer client, Crystal,
and her two children, Mikaelle and Sir.

This dinner routine changed drastically in April 2013 after Crystal was diagnosed with breast cancer. Crystal, who loves to cook and considers herself “a foodie”, was now undergoing harsh radiation. Her daily routine included traveling to receive treatment in the morning which often made her too fatigued to make dinner. Crystal feared that while she underwent treatment, she would not be able to feed her children – or herself. It’s a horrific thought and any parent’s worst nightmare.

“I would sacrifice and do whatever it takes to provide for my kids,” says Crystal.

Food & Friends made sure this wasn’t the case. Despite her health challenges, Crystal has managed to put food on the table, just with a little help. Although her treatment leaves her tired and weak, she is able to heat up a quick meal delivered by Food & Friends that gives her family a hearty dinner keeping them full and healthy.

“The dinners are great and nutritious,” says Crystal. “It’s convenient and easy for me, especially dinner. I just microwave the meals if I want my kids to have a cooked meal.”

In the few months that Crystal has been on service, she has been impressed with the service and extremely grateful for the volunteers that prepare and deliver the food. With this little bit of help, you allow Crystal to focus on her fight against breast cancer.

Although she doesn’t make spaghetti and pizza as often, Crystal is confident that her family is taken care of. Thanks to you, the phrase “dinner is ready” is still just as exciting for Mikaelle and Sir as it used to be.

More than Food & Friends, but Family

Your Support Helped Two Sisters Celebrate Life Despite Cancer.

A cancer diagnosis can have a profound effect on a person, especially when it’s your sister who is diagnosed. When a family member faces cancer, other family members often take on new responsibilities while coping with the added stress. Nothing prepared Barbara Ramundo for the journey she would take as she became the primary caregiver for her sister Sue, who battled pancreatic cancer last year.

In addition to working full-time, Barbara helped Sue with her medications, doctor’s appointments, laundry, grocery shopping, bills, her dog, cooking and an abundance of household chores. Barbara wanted to be there for her sister but these new responsibilities quickly became overwhelming.

When friends asked what they could do, Barbara always requested a homecooked meal. “I do not think people realize how much of a difference one meal makes,” says Barbara. Barbara was thankful for the large support network she had but soon realized that there is only so much her friends could do. “We were lucky to have support from loved ones but they can’t be there for you all the time.” So she decided to look for additional support – for her sister, herself and the rest of her family.

Within a few days of talking with Sue’s doctor about Food & Friends, they began receiving home-delivered meals. These fresh, healthy meals made Barbara and Sue’s days more manageable and less stressful.

“People take for granted how much time and effort goes into thinking about and cooking food,” says Barbara. “Food & Friends changed our lives.”

Food & Friends’ services not only alleviated stress but allowed Barbara to spend more quality time with her loving, funny and hardworking sister.

A few weeks before Sue passed away, Food & Friends delivered a decorated cake to celebrate her 61st birthday. “We were able to celebrate her life in those last days,” expresses Barbara. “Little things like a cooked meal and cake made the end of her life better and added a level of comfort to our lives.”

“We miss her humor a lot,” says Barbara. “Having these meals delivered to us gave me time to cherish the last moments with her instead of worrying about the daily stress of life.”