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.

We Need You to Deliver Hope

Volunteers are at the heart of Food & Friends’ mission. Thanks to the generosity of more than 12,600 volunteers, 14% more meals were delivered in 2011 than in 2010.

This year, we plan to increase meal production by 7.5% and we need volunteers to deliver more than 630,000 of the 1,268,000 nutritious meals heading to the homes of men, women and children facing life-challenging illnesses. Help us meet this need and make a special commitment by joining us as a delivery volunteer.

“The need in our community for Food & Friends’ services continues to increase. The solution to this challenge relies on the community stepping forward and giving time on a regular basis,” says Don Pitz, Volunteer Coordinator at Food & Friends. “Although we were able to serve everyone that was referred to us last year, it’s becoming difficult to deliver to additional clients when the number of delivery volunteers is not keeping pace.”

Food & Friends’ services are free of charge thanks to the generosity of volunteers and donors. To minimize expenses, our goal is to have at least 50% of all meals delivered by volunteers and the remaining 50% by staff drivers. To make this a reality, we need an additional 20-25 delivery volunteers each week for the rest of the year. Without the help of volunteers, Food & Friends will pay an additional $127,000 for delivery drivers.

Delivering is fun, easy to do and can fit into your schedule. We are looking for people to deliver in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia on a regular basis—once a week or once/twice a month depending on your schedule. Routes take approximately 1.5 to 3 hours to complete and we provide a map taking you from door to door. No matter how busy you are, we can find a delivery route that is perfect for you!

Become a delivery volunteer today by contacting Don Pitz, Volunteer Coordinator, at dpitz@foodandfriends.org or at (202) 269-6835.

THE WEIGHT OF THE NATION: HBO Presentation, 5/14 & 5/15

Bringing together the nation’s leading research institutions, THE WEIGHT OF THE NATION is a presentation of HBO and the Institute of Medicine (IOM), in association with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and in partnership with the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and Kaiser Permanente.

The centerpiece of THE WEIGHT OF THE NATION campaign is the four-part documentary series, each featuring case studies, interviews with our nation’s leading experts, and individuals and their families struggling with obesity.

Kaiser Permanente is a valued and appreciated supporter of Food & Friends' mission. Their generosity makes it possible for us to provide healthy and nutritious meals, daily, for adults and children facing HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses. Watch THE WEIGHT OF THE NATION on HBO: Parts 1 & 2, May 14th at 8:00pm, Parts 3 & 4, May 15th at 8:00pm.

'The Weight of the Nation' review: Obesity crisis 
Courtesy of David Wiegand, SFGate.com 
Posted: Thursday, May 10, 2012

We've all seen the TV news reports on obesity in the United States, fresh statistics from the latest study, read with professional detachment, while images of pudgy bodies cross the screen, their faces blurred or heads just out of the camera frame. It's been going on for years, as much a staple of TV news as the weather report.

Unlike the weather, though, there is a lot Americans can do about weight problems, and every minute we delay is not only critical but both deadly and expensive - expensive as in billions of dollars taken from the pockets of taxpayers and businesses. Obesity is an epidemic and perhaps America's biggest health problem.

That's the message pounded home with singular effectiveness in HBO's four-part, multidisciplinary documentary "The Weight of the Nation." Produced by Sheila Nevins and John Hoffman, "Weight" pulls no punches, spares neither the multibillion-dollar food and advertising industries nor public officials for not only failing to fix the problem but actually making it worse, and essentially writes a prescription for the nation's health and economic future that we ignore to our peril. . . .

. . . How fat are we? Plenty. More than two-thirds of adults are overweight and one-third are obese, while one-third of our children and adolescents are overweight and 18 percent are obese. Obesity contributes to five of the 10 leading causes of death in America, costs business more than $73 billion a year, adds $150 billion to health costs now and may hit $300 billion by 2018.

How did we get this way? Beginning in the late 20th century, we moved to a food industry based on what Dr. Kelly Brownell of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity calls "a cheap-food model." The cheapest food is also the least healthy. The category not only includes all kinds of packaged, processed foods, but, of course, fast food offerings, which have become the plaque-building lifeblood of the American diet. . . .

Some 40 to 50 percent of food eaten by kids is consumed at school, and school cafeterias, which have to be financially self-sufficient, push unhealthy, packaged food at kids. . . .

Read the rest of David Wiegand's review.

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.



Help Us Thank Teachers!

Few other professions touch as many people as teachers do. Teachers make a lasting impact on their students' lives and inspire the next generation through their work. This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week and Food & Friends and our supporters want to recognize the importance of educators and say thank you!

Our Service Learning Program uses community service to bring learning to life. We work with dozens of teachers and school administrators to give students the opportunity to engage in meaningful service projects integrated with curriculum-based workshops. We are truly grateful to the teachers who engage their students in helping the community.

What role has a teacher played in your life? What makes a great teacher? Who was your favorite teacher and why?

Students from Duke Ellington School of the Arts

Although this praise is deserved every day, join us in using this week to make a special effort to honor educators and acknowledge the crucial role they play in ensuring every student receives a quality education.

Join Food & Friends in paying tribute to the teachers in our lives by commenting on our Facebook page or by tweeting a thank you message to teachers -- include @foodandfriends.

A Step in the Right Direction: Food & Friends Supports Those Fighting Breast Cancer

When I think of our commitment to clients living with breast cancer, I first think of our beginning as an AIDS service organization. Food & Friends was founded twenty-four years ago as a response to the needs of men and women battling AIDS. Too often, they were alone. Too often, their needs were unmet. Too often, the community looked away. We began with AIDS. Twelve years ago, we served our first clients living with breast cancer and ten years ago, we participated in our first Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

Food & Friends staff member, Pam Giller, and
Executive Director, Craig Shniderman accept
gift from Avon Foundation during 2012 Walk.

The Avon Foundation has been a dedicated supporter of Food & Friends. In 2001, they made it possible for us to create the Pink Ribbon Delivery Program. This year, thanks to their generosity, Food & Friends will deliver 178,000 specialized meals to nearly 500 women living with breast cancer and their loved ones.

Everyone has a personal reason for participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. It may be a sister, mother, brother or even yourself. This Saturday, I’ll do my tenth walk in support of our work supporting the nutritional needs of survivors and future survivors. When we are all out walking together, we are walking toward the same goal. Those affected by this disease are not alone because Food & Friends will never look away and we will never neglect to serve these men and women and those who care about them. It is our legacy and our future all wrapped together.

Ivanna Beat Breast Cancer
(aka. Craig Shniderman) cheering on
Avon Walkers

We are very proud to be a beneficiary of the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and we look forward to greeting the walkers along the route. Food & Friends staff and volunteers will be handing out stickers and our famous chocolate chip cookies on Saturday and Sunday,and our kitchen will be providing an incredible lunch on Sunday afternoon.

I will be attending the walk on Saturday as my alter-ego, Miss Ivanna Beat Breast Cancer. The picture should be enough of an explanation. Be sure to come say hi!

See you on the road!!

Craig Shniderman
Executive Director

It Takes One to Know One

David Boris, a delivery volunteer for more than 15 years, explains why he and his wife volunteer with Food & Friends and the reasons you should get involved.

David Boris and his wife have delivered
meals for more than 15 years.

Why You Should Volunteer 
Excerpt from: http://www.bebetterguys.com/2009/04/why-you-should-volunteer/

….Look, what I’m not going to do is preach at you. What I am gonna do is tell a story; I like to tell stories.

Most folks have a cause. My wife and mine became AIDS because when we were first dating, we lived in a section of D.C. that had a high gay concentration and through the dog park, we befriended various guys, some of whom were HIV positive. Back then, when you were positive, it was pretty clear it was going to become full-blown AIDS and you’d be checking out in a matter of a couple of years.

So we would write checks, do our requisite AIDSWalk. You know, the simple stuff. Then one year, we stepped it up – committed to the Philly to DC AIDS Ride. 250 miles, 2 and ½ days, you agree to raise $1,200 per rider. We raised the money, we did the ride. And something happened. We both agreed that we needed more, we needed to commit to something on a regular basis. We needed to be closer to the cause.

During the Holidays, we decided to volunteer at a kitchen in D.C. that prepares and delivers food to homebound folks with HIV and AIDS called Food & Friends. As Jews, see, we don’t have a lot to do on Christmas Day.  Go to the movies, eat some Chinese food, play with your Hanukkah toys and go to bed early. Instead, we got our bags of food to deliver, put them in our car and drove the route and I remember saying to my wife, "We will be back here next weekend.”

The Boris Family

And ever since that Christmas Day in 1997, we’ve been delivering meals in the same neighborhood every Saturday morning through bad weather, job changes, the birth of two kids, and basketball playoff tickets. Why? My personal philosophy is that it’s easy to write checks and do a fun run. But what most people in need really need is your time.  To know that they’ve not been cast aside, to know they still matter somewhere to somebody.

Any person would want the same courtesy from his or her fellow mankind if he or she ever became seriously ill and needed assistance. The fact is lots of people could just use a bit of your time to make it a good day for them. Know how long that food run takes? About 90 minutes door-to-door, and that’s when I hit all the lights wrong and I have extra drops to make and folks aren’t home and I have to stand outside their apartment building waiting for no-one to answer. 

Things are good for you, for the most part, right? Got a job, got some money, maybe got a car, a girl, decent place to live. Guess what? Lots of people don’t. And regardless of your political or moral affiliations, you can still help them out.

Start With Something You Like. Like to paint houses?  There are community groups that paint and fix up old folks’ homes.  Like cats?  How about volunteering at the pound?  Enjoy working with kids?  That’s why we have Big Brothers/Big Sisters.  Point is, you’ll never stay with a volunteer effort if you don’t really care that much about the cause.  There are so many causes that can use folks to man the phones, fix cars, spend time with those less fortunate that even you video gamers can find organizations that can put your passion to good use.

Don’t Over commit.  Like anything, make a commitment that you can achieve. For example, say you want to add more green space to your town or city. Plantings happen all day every weekend somewhere around most cities. But it wipes out the whole day. No problem. Commit to planting for two hours every Saturday instead of all-day two Saturdays a year. Find something you can reasonably do, not an overblown affair that leaves you bitter.

Start Now. It’s so easy to procrastinate and say, "Sure, I’ll help collect used clothes…next month.”  Nah. Check out a few of the sites we recommend and do it now.  If you wait, you’ll lose your momentum and momentum’s always hard to regain.  Just ask any athlete how tough it is to regain your form after you lose it.

Volunteering Loves Company. I mentioned that all the volunteer stuff I’ve done has been with my wife, both before and after we got married. Got a girl?  Great way to do show her you’re a quality guy. Or go with a buddy. Doing anything new totally by yourself is hard. Having a wingman or wing-gal not only keeps you committed, but it gives you someone that you can share your experiences with over beers after your effort.

Yes, You Can Meet Women Volunteering. More women volunteer than men, according to a University of Virginia study.  Well, that right there just increased your odds since you’ll be in the minority. If you do something you like and there’s a girl there, chances are you have some compatibility. Volunteering is a social thing, so add it to your repertoire of going out to clubs and parties to meet new women.

Damn, That Felt Great! There is no denying that everyone in my volunteer group feel the pride, the satisfaction, the sense of accomplishment and contribution that work doesn’t usually provide. It’s about the time you put in and the reward of that isn’t measurable in dollars. You volunteer to give of yourself to the greater good. Work may feel like pushing a boulder up Mt. Rainier every day in the office, but the hours and minutes you put in volunteering are greatly appreciated by many. It feels real, real good.

Where Do I Go? The clearinghouse for volunteer opportunities is VolunteerMatch, which has every conceivable opportunity you can think of. You can narrow it down to your zip code to find every combination of ways to matter to others. Volunteer.org is good for specifically environmental activities. And you can check out your local newspaper online because they all run articles on volunteering possibilities.

Me, I’ve decided Food & Friends isn’t quite enough. I’m already coaching a Special Olympics t-ball team and will get my dogs certified to visit war veterans at the VA hospital here in D.C. Once you start, it’s hard to quit. And that’s a good thing.

I lied, I did preach to you! But it wasn’t so bad, now was it? Hey! Knock it off with that eye-rolling!

Dining Out for Life: Thank You & Envelope Totals

Thank you to EVERYONE who made Dining Out for Life a success. Your support will make a direct impact in the lives of our neighbors in need and will help to deliver more than 1.2 million meals this year. Thank you, Thank you!

A few photos are up on Facebook and we'll be posting more next week. Please share yours.

BIG THANKS to the 120+ volunteers who donated their time to hang out in our restaurants thanking diners and raising funds.

If there was not a volunteer in your restaurant, or you didn't make a donation, you still can. Gifts of $40 or more will be matched by Walmart and, with each gift, you'll be entered to win a $1,000 US Airways Gift Card. Visit www.foodandfriends.org/dol to give.

As we count the funds raised through envelope contributions, we'll be posting the totals here. So, keep checking back to see how the restaurant you volunteered at, or dined at, did.

2012 Envelope Contribution Totals

• 18th & U Duplex Diner -- $2,120
• Annie's Paramount Steak House -- $4,493.18
• Argia's -- $1,316.35
• Aroma Indian in DC -- $48.00
• Banana Cafe -- $405.00
• Bangkok Garden Restaurant -- $123.00
• BAR-CODE Restaurant -- $215.86
• Beacon Bar & Grill -- $255.00
• Black's Bar & Kitchen -- $500.00
• BlackSalt Fishmarket & Restaurant -- $610.00
• Buck's Fishing & Camping -- $769.00
• Cafe Berlin -- $1,387.00
• Cafe Bonaparte @ Lunch -- $20.00
• Cafe La Ruche -- $970.00
• Cafe Luna -- $204.07
• Chadwick's Old Town -- $535.00
• Clare and Don's Beach Shack @ Lunch -- $250.00
• Clare and Don's Beach Shack @ Dinner -- $1,330.25
• Commissary -- $453.00
• Cubano's -- $898.00
• DC Reynolds -- $440.00
• Delhi Club @ Lunch -- $396.00
• Delhi Club @ Dinner -- $807.00
• Dino -- $944.00
• Dupont Italian Kitchen -- $644.00
• Ella's Wood Fired Pizza @ Lunch -- $624.00
• Ella's Wood Fired Pizza @ Dinner -- $298.00
• Firefly -- $20.00
• Freddie's Beach Bar & Restaurant -- $2,582.00
• Freddy's Lobster & Clams @ Lunch -- $11.00 
• Freddy's Lobster & Clams @ Dinner -- $203.00 
• Georgia Brown's -- $223.00
• Grillfish @ Lunch -- $210.00
• Grillfish @ Dinner -- $499.00
• Guapo's Restaurant in Bethesda -- $738.00
• Guapo's Restaurant in Shirlington -- $1,768.00
• Hank's Oyster Bar in DC -- $1,285.00
• Hank's Oyster Bar in Old Town -- $635.00
• Il Pizzico -- $250.00
• James Hoban's Irish Pub -- $644.00
• JoJo Restaurant & Bar -- $242.00
• La Fourchette -- $105.00
• La Frontera Cantina -- $134.00
• La Tomate -- $1,220.00
• Laurel Station Bar & Grill @ Lunch -- $140.00
• Laurel Station Bar & Grill @ Dinner -- $534.00
• Le Chat Noir -- $35.00
• Level One -- $1,405.00
• Little Fountain Cafe -- $315.00
• Logan Tavern @ Lunch -- $320.00
• Logan Tavern @ Dinner -- $950.00
• Mamma Lucia -- $25.00
• Mark's Kitchen @ Lunch -- $74.00
• Mark's Kitchen @ Dinner -- $290.00
• Marvin -- $550.00
• Mehak Indian Resturant -- $60.00
• Mellow Mushroom -- $440.52
• Mie N Yu -- $12.00
• Mintwood Place -- $1,759.00
• Mosaic Cuisine & Cafe -- $963.00
• Nage -- $851.11
• Neyla -- $330.00
• Open Kitchen -- $545.00
• Peacock Cafe -- $2,355.00
• Pearl Drive Oyster Palace -- $645.00
• Perry's -- $410.00
• Pesce -- $580.00
• Poste -- $140.00
• Posto -- $6,883.00
• Red Rocks Old Town -- $700.00
• Ristorante Tosca -- $3,480.00
• Sala Thai in Bethesda @ -- $195.00
• Sala Thai in Betheda @ Dinner -- $44.00
• Sala Thai in Petworth -- $165.00
• Sala Thai on U Street -- $173.00
• Scion Restaurant -- $185.00
• Skewers -- $285.00
• Tabaq Bistro -- $1,090.00
• Tabard Inn @ Lunch -- $65.00
• Tabard Inn @ Dinner -- $700.00
• Thaiphoon Restaurant in DC -- $290.00
• The Heights -- $1,056.00
• The Old Siam -- $228.00
• Tonic -- $814.00
• Trattoria Alberto -- $768.00
• Trattoria Sorrento -- $501.00
• Veranda -- $460.00
• Whole Foods Market (Foggy Bottom) -- $40.00
• Whole Foods Market (P St.) -- $67.00

See you all next year on Thursday, April 25th!

 

DINE OUT TODAY IN 120+ RESTAURANTS IN THE DMV

More than 120 restaurants throughout DC, Virginia and Maryland will donate 25% -100% of their proceeds from lunch and/or dinner to Food & Friends. Just by sitting down in one of our restaurants, you'll be standing up for thousands of your neighbors facing HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses.

Here's how you can help:

1. Find a Restaurant and DINE OUT. View full listing.

2. Make a last-minute reservation on OpenTable.com 

3. Donate! You'll be entered to win a $1,000 US Airways Gift Card

4. Spread the word. Encourage your friends on Facebook and Twitter to join you in Dining Out. #doldc 

If you're in the Dupont Circle/Adam's Morgan area, keep an eye out for Queen Force One. They'll be stopping in to say hi throughout the night.  Here's the schedule: 

6:45pm -- Perry’s & Mintwood Place

7:10pm -- Mellow Mushroom & Little Fountain Café

7:30 pm -- La Tomate

8:00 pm -- Tabard Inn & Beacon Bar & Grill

8:30 pm -- Annie’s & Hank’s Oyster Bar

9:00 pm -- Skewer’s & Café Luna

9:30 pm -- Commissary & Logan Tavern

10:00 pm -- Posto & Pearl Dive Oyster Bar

Thank you for dining out to support Food & Friends today. You are truly making a difference.

www.foodandfriends.org/dol

Behind the Scenes: Volunteer ambassador works tirelessly to recruit Dining Out for Life participants.

This Thursday (April 26th), Diana Vera will serve as an Ambassador for Dining Out for Life. As an Ambassador, she is working to fill her restaurant and will greet diners at Laurel Station Bar & Grill in Maryland on the day of the event. Diana heard about the opportunity to volunteer during one of her shifts as a Saturday delivery driver. After going through some challenging life events, she wanted to find a way to give back to the community and show appreciation for the positive things in her life.

While ambassadors have certain expectations, Diana has gone above and beyond her duties to fill her restaurant and raise money for Food & Friends.

“There is a certain sense of fulfillment that comes with volunteering and I wanted to find a way to help those that could not help themselves,” says Diana. “I am a type A personality and I want my restaurant to raise as much awareness and money as possible.”

After spending many Sundays watching football at Laurel Station Bar & Grill, Diana convinced the owner to sign up for Dining Out for Life. Once confirmed, Diana went to work. She typed up a fundraising letter and sent it to her friends. Diana has also convinced three motorcycle clubs to participate, as well as a local comedian and possibly a local radio station.

“Nothing should be done unless it is done right,” comments Diana.

Diana continues reaching out to her personal contacts as well as strangers to bring in additional supporters to the event. Wherever she is, Diana carries along her Dining Out for Life brochures and is not shy asking people to participate.

“People need to step outside of their daily lives and see that there are people suffering around them,” says Diana. “Going out to dinner is the easiest way to make a contribution to Food & Friends while being able to spend a fun night out with friends and family.”

Thank you to the more than 120 volunteer ambassadors that are helping out with this year’s Dining Out for Life. The event would not be possible without your generosity and hard work.

To learn more about Dining Out for Life, visit http://www.foodandfriends.org/dol.