If Mary could thank you in kale, she would

“I never would have thought that food would save my life,” Mary says.

Ten years ago, Mary was recovering from multiple strokes while suffering from debilitating arthritis. She was in so much pain that she couldn’t even muster enough energy to cook or go to the grocery store. Depression set in when she began losing unhealthy amounts of weight.

I talk to people like Mary every day and they are the reason I was motivated to become a dietitian.

As we all age, we’re prone to chronic conditions like arthritis, heart disease, and strokes. Healthy eating, exercise, and regular medical check-ups can help prevent many of these ailments, but only if you have access.

Nutritious food is one thing that can go a long way to prevent you from developing diabetes or cardiovascular disease. It has the power to reduce the symptoms and daily impact of many illnesses, minimize medication side effects, and provide comfort when you’re feeling your worst.

Stark racial and ethnic disparities in nutrition insecurity have long existed among older Americans. Pre-pandemic, older Black Americans faced it at nearly three times the rate of their white counterparts.

Now the difference is four-fold.

Our food and nutrition program, Chicken Soup Brigade, customizes meals and grocery bags to someone’s health conditions so that they can recover from hospitalization, or better manage their disease, while learning to eat for a healthier future. Everyone’s needs are different, so their food should be too.

The people we serve have little to no income and are usually homebound from illness, making the need for nutritious food that much more crucial.

After a neighbor referred Mary to Chicken Soup Brigade, she slowly started enjoying eating again. I worked with her to increase her intake of vegetables and swap out processed food for simple, nourishing recipes. She started getting our grocery bags and found the energy to cook for herself again.

The pandemic affected not only the health of our most vulnerable neighbors but also the supply chain, making it even more expensive for us to produce and deliver meals and groceries.

Unless we see a surge in community support, we will not be able to sustain our life-saving outreach to those who need us most.

When you give today, you are telling clients like Mary that they deserve to thrive, no matter their age.

At 77, Mary says she’s healthier than she was a decade ago and has an increased sense of independence. For the first time, she is growing her own garden with tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli, and collard greens.

Give $77 or more today in honor of Mary and your donation will be doubled (up to $25,000) by a generous donor who understands that our senior neighbors often fall between the cracks and know that must change.

“I’ve come a mighty, mighty long way,” Mary says. “I look forward to the meals now. I’m learning how to eat differently.”

Hearing Mary’s words make me so proud to be a part of Lifelong.

We believe that food is medicine and Mary is living proof.

Thank you for ensuring that Lifelong can continue delivering health and hope.