Delivering Duo: Mom and daughter make a difference with just a couple hours a week

Your support helps to deliver more than 3,700 nutritious meals every day. Delivery volunteer Lisa Anbinder and her 4-year-old daughter, Celia, see firsthand the effect these meals have on clients.

 

Lisa and Celia deliver meals to clients every Friday. 
Lisa adopted a route that fits her busy schedule.

When Lisa was facing thyroid cancer six years ago, she was fortunate to have a husband, close friends and children who were able to care for her. Without such a support system, her story might be told a little differently.

Motivated by her past illness and desire to serve others, Lisa and her husband have been major donors to Food & Friends for many years. Recently Lisa found a new way to make an impact as a delivery volunteer. Now, every Friday, Lisa and Celia bring companionship and delicious meals to clients throughout Arlington.

“It’s really nice to see the other side of Food & Friends. We’ve been in the kitchen and we’ve given money but I’d never been in touch with the client side,” explains Lisa. “It’s interesting to see the end of the process, where the prepared meals go.”

As a busy stay-at-home mom, Lisa appreciates the flexibility of the work. Specifically, she was looking for a volunteer activity she could do with her young daughter. Food & Friends was the perfect fit.

“I like the fact that she can come along and be exposed to this kind of volunteering,” says Lisa. “My deliveries take a little bit longer having Celia with me, but in the long run it’s a nice thing for her to know that it’s a normal part of what we do.”

Whether donating, volunteering or attending events, Lisa looks forward to continuing her family’s involvement with Food & Friends. Join Lisa and adopt a route in your neighborhood. Once you adopt a route, you will always deliver to the same area. Be prepared to build bonds and friendships that last a lifetime.

Sign up for our ChopTalk newsletter to read stories like Lisa's and other outstanding individuals and groups whose generous spirit, like yours, allows us to have an ongoing and tremendous impact on the lives of our neighbors facing serious illness.

Celebrate Super-Moms this Mother's Day

Motherhood can be an exhausting, life-changing, unpredictable and messy job. Whether it is feeding, teaching, transporting or just playing with children, mothers spend their days tending to the needs of others.

Now, imagine being a mom facing a life-challenging illness such as cancer or HIV/AIDS. In addition to taking care of the daily responsibilities of motherhood, these moms have to spend extra time and energy fighting to stay healthy.

Our mothers do so much for us. Your support makes it possible for Food & Friends to be there for them when they need it most. We help mothers put healthy, nutritious food on the table for their families, giving them one less thing to worry about. The words of this mother best express the impact Food & Friends' services have had on her life:

"There have been so many times when I was too tired or weak to do the things I normally do as a Mom. That’s where you have come to the rescue. There are days when I am just too tired to cook and all I have to do is take something that you have graciously prepared, and my family and I have a nice meal."

As we celebrate moms this Mother's Day, we invite you to honor the Super-Moms in your life:

• Donate in honor or memory of your mother. Your gift will help support programs that benefit mothers and their children.
• Commit to delivering meals. Each route takes less than two hours and the rewards are immeasurable.
• Tell us why your mother is special. Share on Facebook why you celebrate your mom. On Twitter, tweet in your mother's honor and use the hash tag #f&fluvsmoms.

Thank you for helping us take care of the Super-Moms who selflessly put the needs of others in front of their own.