Washington ranks fifth nationally for number of AIDS cases. The cumulative total of cases for the metro area is 10,533 -- 6,049 of whom have died. Reports indicate that approximately 35,000 individuals are HIV+, so the number of people needing care in our community will continue to increase.
Food & Friends provides freshly prepared meals at no cost to homebound people with HIV/AIDS. Each Monday through Saturday volunteers deliver three meals at mid-day, sustaining our clients with a nutritious and healthy diet.
Sample menu:
Since Food & Friends' kitchen opened in May 1989, the number of clients receiving meals each day has grown dramatically: from 30 per day in 1989, to 60 per day in 1990, to 120 in 1991, and to 240 in 1992. We currently serve 400 clients -- or 1,200 meals -- each day.
As of March 31st, Food & Friends had served a total of 2,663 clients, and a total of 637,397 meals.
In 1991 we provided more than 23,000 meals to clients, 48,000 meals in 1992, and in 1994 we provided over 320,000 meals.
Food & Friends' annual budget for 1995: $1,664,000
Total direct program costs for meal preparation and delivery, volunteer management and client services equals 80% of the projected budget. Administrative and fund raising expenses equal 20%.
Food & Friends' "Nutrition Education & Support Project" provides clients with nutritional assessments and counseling by our licensed dietician, nutrition and HIV education materials and workshops, and cooking classes for people with HIV/AIDS and their caregivers.
Food & Friends receives funds from government grants covered under the Ryan White CARE. Act. Our development program is diverse, including foundation, corporate and religious organization giving, and contributions from individuals through special events, memorial funds donation cans and the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (Designation #8429).
Clients can usually receive meal delivery within 24 hours. An interview is done over the phone to gather information on the client's health, emergency contacts, living situation and dietary needs.
Many of our clients are living on or below the poverty level -- 75% have incomes of less than $550 per month.
Meals are prepared by professional chefs with the help of kitchen volunteers. Food & Friends has five part-time drivers who deliver meals to 13 drop-off sites serving 60 delivery routes throughout the Washington metropolitan area. Neighborhood drop-off sites make meal delivery more efficient and easier for volunteers.
Each day our deliveries cover a 625 square mile area, including the District of Columbia, Suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia.
Food & Friends meal service is made possible by the help of over 700 active volunteers.
Food & Friends averages 60 new client intakes each month.
Food & Friends is a member of three consortiums, enabling us to network with other AIDS service organizations. We also share information about special programs and services available to our clients through other organizations, such as support groups, legal programs and retreats.
The two things necessary to expanding our program are more funding and volunteers.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FOOD & FRIENDS, WRITE :
P.O. BOX 70601, WASHINGTON, DC 20024; PHONE 202/ 488-8276; FAX 202/863-1284; TDD 202/554-2944.