Delivering meals to local seniors was so rewarding for 22-year-old Fabiola Metezier that she was excited to resume her role as Food for Hope relaunches.
Back in August 2021, Fabiola first became a Heart2Heart volunteer after deciding that she wanted to help her community.
She was paired up with two seniors – Frederick and Beverly. Over the next year, she built close friendships with both people.
A Kind Heart in a “Hard-core” Exterior
Fabiola, who lives in Pompano Beach, said she wouldn’t have approached Frederick if she randomly saw him on the street.
“He looks like a biker with tattoos, piercings, and a hard-core exterior,” she said. “But after conversations with him, he is so soft and kind, so shame on me for judging! He has such a compassionate heart.”
Each Saturday morning, Fabiola would drop off meals to Frederick. Then she would stay and talk for about an hour. He learned all about his family and his dog Bubba. She loved hearing about his week and listening to stories from the past.
“Sometimes he would even call me during the week and we would talk or pray together,” she said.
Just a few weeks before she initially began bringing him meals, Frederick decided to give up alcohol. Sometimes their conversations, especially on the phone, focused on his sobriety.
Fabiola offered encouragement, suggesting alternative activities if he was struggling, such as going for a walk or a drive to get out of the house.
When Fabiola started grad school, Frederick and his roommate gave her a book that would help her in her master’s program. He also shared recipes with her. He was proud of the dishes he’d made and was eager to share his knowledge with his young friend.
A Second Mom
Fabiola also loved the bond she created with another senior, Beverly.
“With Beverly, she was just warm from the beginning,” Fabiola said. “She was very open, very kind.”
Beverly struggles with her hearing, so the pair had some laughs, including when Fabiola first introduced herself.
“What’s your name?” Beverly asked. “ Ravioli??”
However, Fabiola quickly figured out how to communicate through talking loud enough or writing things down.
During that first meeting, Beverly gave Fabiola a picture tour of her 30+ family members. She talked about her relationship with her grown children, and how proud she is of them.
More than just delivering meals, Fabiola cherished the talks they would have together and the opportunity to help her. Beverly often needed assistance with tasks such as moving furniture around for her, helping to send a text message to family members, or just helping around the house if Beverly wasn’t feeling well.
“At one point she said ‘It feels like you’re my daughter,’ And I was like ‘I’ve been ADOPTED!!’” Fabiola said with a delighted laugh.
Like Frederick, Beverly, too, shared favorite recipes with her. Fabiola still has those and has adapted them to be vegan.
Even after she stopped officially volunteering as her master’s program grew more intense, Fabiola has still visited the two seniors a few times. She sent them birthday texts and well wishes.
A New Opportunity
Recently, life slowed down just enough that Fabiola began to think about how she could volunteer.
That’s when she received an email from Heart2Heart about the new delivery program — part of a federal contract to deliver nutritious meals to Broward County seniors.
Since February, Fabiola has been delivering meals to two other seniors as Heart2Heart relaunches Food for Hope through the federal program.
She is excited to get to know them even better and hopes to bond with them like she did with her other senior friends.
Heart2Heart is looking for 118 more Food for Hope volunteers like Fabiola. If you’re already a Heart2Heart volunteer, text “Food for Hope” to our volunteer coordinator at 954-807-2220.
To join our movement, become a volunteer!
