PRESS RELEASE

Contact:    Juan Gallo
                    Executive Director

Office:        954-315-2218

Email:        juan@h2houtreach.org 

For Immediate Release

June 6, 2023
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Heart2Heart named in a federal contract delivering nutritious meals to Broward County seniors

FORT LAUDERDALE – Heart2Heart Outreach of South Florida will help provide nutritious meals to Broward County seniors in need through a federally funded bid award, announced by the Area Agency on Aging of Broward County (AAABC) on June 2.

Heart2Heart is a subcontractor for two of the four entities who will deliver meals through the Older Americans Act Nutrition Services Program. Starting July 1, Heart2Heart will provide referral assessment and direct outreach to the seniors on behalf of restaurant Offerdahl’s Off-The-Grill and catering company Sushi Maki, doing business as Medley Gourmet Foods.

“This is an amazing opportunity for our organization to meet the needs of seniors in our community,” said Heart2Heart CEO Juan Gallo. “We’re grateful to be working alongside proven partners to deliver delicious, nutritious meals.”

Since the inception of the Nutrition Services Program in Broward County, only one organization has provided meal delivery services. However, the AAABC wanted to empower its older residents with meal options and a “wide variety of food choices that include nutritionally sound, tasty and culturally diverse foods,” according to the entity’s Request for Proposals.

Last year, Heart2Heart partnered with Offerdahl’s Off-The-Grill to launch the innovative Food for Hope program. With funding from StrikeForce421, Heart2Heart volunteers delivered 10,000 meals from Offerdahl’s Off-The-Grill to more than 60 seniors over the course of 12 months.

“The success of the Food for Hope program allowed Heart2Heart to join the conversation on allowing seniors choices about the foods they eat,” Gallo said. “We believe in empowering seniors. In fact, our senior-centered approach informs how our volunteers interact with seniors and how we provide services.”

Broward County’s Nutrition Services Program currently serves 700 seniors a week, with many more on a waiting list. Heart2Heart’s role in the program will be to assess the eligibility of referrals from AAABC — specifically those who have chosen meals from Offerdahl’s Off-The-Grill or Medley Gourmet Foods.

To meet the demands of the six-month bid award, Heart2Heart will be hiring 12 to 15 full-time staff and moving from its offices on Cypress Creek Road in Fort Lauderdale to a larger space.

To find out more about the job opportunities or to volunteer to help isolated seniors, email Heart2Heart at info@heart2heartoutreach.org.

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About Heart2Heart Outreach of South Florida

In 2022, Heart2Heart Outreach of South Florida impacted the lives of 7,361 seniors through face-to-face visits, events, access to faith services, Relief C.A.R.E., and home-delivered Food for Hope meals. Last year alone, the organization mobilized 1,771 volunteers. These committed passionate volunteers made an incredible difference in the lives of older residents living in isolation at home or in more than 50 care centers across South Florida. Heart2Heart uses its innovative C.A.R.E. strategy (Connect, Advocate, Respond and Engage) to respond to a growing need within the local aging community. For more information, visit www.heart2heartoutreach.org.

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Every Child a Swimmer honored as a Diamond Sponsor of RED Gala

FORT LAUDERDALE – Team Horner is leading the charge to support South Florida’s aging community with a diamond sponsorship of Heart2Heart’s RED Gala.

Team Horner’s $15,000 donation is the largest sponsorship Heart2Heart has received from any single entity in support of its annual fundraising gala.

“We are so grateful for Team Horner’s support,” said Heart2Heart Community Relations Director Riana Samaroo. “Heart2Heart exists to mobilize volunteers and bring hope to those battling isolation and loneliness. We cannot fulfill our mission without partners like Team Horner.”

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