FORT LAUDERDALE — Heart2Heart Outreach of South Florida has relaunched its successful Food for Hope meal delivery program, this time as part of a federal contract specifically for Broward County seniors.
We’re looking for 118 volunteers to give 2 to 3 hours each week delivering nutritious meals to 2 or 3 seniors.
Because we always want to care for the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual health of the seniors in our community, we’re asking for more than delivery drivers.
We want volunteers to connect with seniors with an open heart to listen and genuine care for their wellbeing as they deliver healthy meals each week.
Why So Many Volunteers?
Last year, Heart2Heart was included in a federal contract to deliver nutritious meals to Broward County seniors.
Since June, we’ve been providing referral assessment and outreach to seniors who called the Area Agency on Aging of Broward County (or ADRC Broward) to ask for the federally-funded meals.
In the last nine months, our patient advocates have been in the homes of hundreds of seniors. They’ve assessed their needs and filled out the paperwork to qualify them for meal deliveries.
You probably know the federal meal delivery service — officially called Older Americans Act Nutrition Services Program — by the nonprofit that used to deliver the meals in Broward County: Meals on Wheels.
ADRC Broward’s new direction for the program gives seniors more choices. Now they can choose to receive meals from one of four options, including our partners: the restaurant Offerdahl’s Off-The-Grill and the catering company Sushi Maki.
Our role in the program has allowed us to connect with more seniors. Aside from the assessment work, our patient advocates connect seniors to other resources — and to our volunteers!
And while Heart2Heart delivery volunteers were integral to our Food for Hope pilot program, they haven’t been involved in this new contract. Offerdahl’s and Sushi Maki hired delivery drivers to handle that part.
However, that’s about to change.
Food for Hope
Heart2Heart volunteers will now deliver the federally funded weekly meals to our Broward County seniors — meals lovingly prepared by Sushi Maki and Offerdahl’s Grateful Fresh.
With that, Food for Hope has returned!
Our partners are asking us to take on this additional role because seniors need more than another package dropped off at their doorstep.
Seniors need a genuine connection to the community.
To join the Food for Hope movement, become a volunteer!
If you’re already a Heart2Heart volunteer, text “Food for Hope” to our volunteer coordinator at 954-807-2220.
