At God’s Love We Deliver, volunteers are the heart and soul of the organization. God’s Love We Deliver is New York City’s only nonprofit provider of medically tailored meals and nutrition counseling for people living with life-altering illnesses. With the help of a community and thousands of volunteers, the organization’s services are not only free of charge to clients, their children and caregivers, but the meals are quite literally made with love.
During National Volunteer Week, God’s Love We Deliver celebrated its community of volunteers through the theme Thank You for Being a Friend. Volunteers were treated to delicious pastries by God’s Love Pastry Chef Dorothy Auer, chocolate from Tony’s Chocolonely, thoughtfully designed Bombas socks, Centric Brands goodies, a special gift bag filled with products from L’Oréal and more. Volunteers also had the opportunity to win Delta Air Lines ticket vouchers, gift certificates to Melba’s Restaurant in Harlem, and tickets to see The New York Mets in action.
Last year, thanks to thousands of dedicated staff and volunteers, God’s Love delivered more than 3.2 million meals to more than 10,500 individuals.God’s Love has daily opportunities available in kitchen prep, meal packaging, delivery, and office duties. When you reach out to God’s Love to get involved you’ll encounter a stellar Volunteer Department staff eager to answer your questions and set you up with the shift that works best for you. Here’s how to get involved.
Meet some of the volunteers who are making a difference at God’s Love We Deliver and learn more at glwd.org/volunteer.
Phyllis began volunteering at God’s Love We Deliver in February 1993. Phyllis is still here, every Monday morning, building friendships and giving back. Her inspiration? “I wanted to do something to provide nutritious and beautiful meals to people living with illness after struggling to do so for my sister in her battle with cancer.”
After Vinnie moved from the Philippines with his brother and father to join his mother in NYC, his mother, Vicky, was diagnosed with stage 2 cancer. His mother learned about God’s Love and began receiving meals, along with Vinnie and his brother, because God’s Love provides meals for the children of its clients, too. Vinnie is now a regular volunteer who enjoys giving back to the organization that gave so much to his mother and family.
“I found that it was the generosity God’s Love puts in preparing the food to be the most touching. It showed me that it’s not just the food itself that provides nourishment, but the expression of love and care that goes into putting these meals together.”
Vinnie Arce
After reversing the painful symptoms of several autoimmune illnesses, Dite decided to give back. No longer in chronic pain or limited in mobility, Dite began volunteering at God’s Love as a walking delivery volunteer, delivering at lunch time every Friday for more than four years. Today, she delivers to Barbara each week, with whom she has struck up a friendship. During the height of the COVID pandemic, when Barbara could not go outside, Dite took photos and videos of the cherry blossoms at nearby Washington Square Park and sent them to her. Dite has continued this tradition of sending photos and videos of her wanderings around the city and Barbara tells us she now calls this time in her life “Travels with Dite.”
Lorna came to NYC from Jamaica more than 30 years ago. She tells us that, at the time, she needed a lot of help to get started here. Today, Lorna is committed to giving back to the City and its people who have supported her so much.
“When I wake up and it’s my day to volunteer, I feel so great! I feel committed – I absolutely have to be here. God’s Love is a great place to spend time and do good. When I’m here I feel like I’m surrounded by friends.”
Lorna Facey
Just like Vinnie, Lorna and all the other volunteers, New Yorkers can make a difference today by signing up for a volunteer shift at God’s Love We Deliver! Learn more here.