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| Last weekend, Mike and I volunteered at God’s Love We Deliver. |
“The mission of God’s Love We Deliver is to improve the health and well-being of men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other serious illnesses by alleviating hunger and malnutrition.”
Michael and I spent Sunday afternoon in the God’s Love kitchen with about a dozen other volunteers, prepping pounds of beans, onions and carrots. I’ve volunteered before, but last weekend was the first time I volunteered in New York City. I couldn’t have picked a better organization either; God’s Love We Deliver’s purpose and mission is one that I believe in and is close to my heart.
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| The volunteer crew gets busy chopping. |
I’ve lost friends and family members to serious illnesses like cancer, AIDS, and heart disease. I understand the need for the sick and elderly to eat well during treatment, recovery, and hospice care. Food combined with love is the best medicine, and receiving that food every day brings dignity and hope to those in an otherwise dispiriting situation.
God’s Love We Deliver began as an AIDS organization in 1985. Co-founder Ganga Stone’s vision changed thousands of lives since that first meal she prepared and delivered by bicycle. God’s Love now cooks and delivers 4,000 meals each weekday to New Yorkers with life-altering illnesses including but not limited to cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, and HIV/AIDS. Though the nonprofit operates with a professional staff of about 75 people, much of their work is done by local volunteers. Each year, approximately 7,600 people join the God’s Love kitchen staff to chop, clean, prep, organize, and package food.
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| Chef Khary Johnson runs a tight ship at God’s Love. The kitchen is immaculate! |
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| Michael does a number on the onions. |
God’s Love is different from other charity organizations. They don’t have a waiting list, and they never turn anyone away. They deliver food within 24-48 hours of first being contacted. They employ registered dietitians who tailor nutrition-specific meals for each client’s medical requirement. Services are provided free of charge to clients, clients’ children and senior caregivers of their senior clients.
The need for more space to expand their kitchen and administrative offices is so great, they are preparing to relocate to Brooklyn temporarily before beginning a substantial expansion of their SoHo headquarters, which they anticipate will take about 14-16 months. At this time, support is more crucial than ever before. No gift is too small, and even an afternoon or two of bean sorting, onion chopping, or carrot peeling can make all the difference.
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| Mike and I in the God’s Love Kitchen |
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| God’s Love’s dedicated tiles line the walls of their SoHo kitchen. |
For more info on God’s Love We Deliver, go to www.glwd.org.
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Rose ~ from Oz says
Well done Tracy and Mike, may this inspiring post be the reason more volunteers will join to help the cause.
The kitchen is indeed immaculate, and the mission of this organisation is needed, welcomed and no doubt appreciated.
Scott McCulley says
Joan Rivers would deliver for them each Thanksgiving with her grandson Cooper. Such an amazing organization.
Tracy Kaler says
Yes! Joan was a regular volunteer at GLWD, and it is a wonderful organization!