Throughout the month of December, we will champion the transformative, health-giving work of our most recent [company_name Cares nonprofit recipient, Project Angel Heart.
Their mission is ambitious, laser-focused, and measurably improving lives daily: “Project Angel Heart improves health and well-being for people with life-threatening illnesses by preparing and delivering medically tailored meals and promoting the power of food as medicine.”
The incredible team at Project Angel Heart believes that “a meal with heart gives hope,” and this year more than ever, we could all stand to spread a bit more hope!
What is Project Angel Heart, and Who Do They Serve?
Project Angel Heart knows that food is medicine (and they have the data to prove it). This key understanding of the relationship between meals and well-being is the driving force behind all Project Angel Heart does.
Since 1991, Project Angel Heart has delivered more than 7 million meals to critically ill neighbors in Denver and Colorado Springs. Each week, their amazing team delivers thousands of medically tailored meals to individuals in our community living with cancer, HIV/AIDS, kidney disease, lung disease, heart disease, and other illnesses that make it difficult to pay for, shop for, or prepare wholesome, healing meals.
Project Angel Heart’s Impact
At Project Angel Heart, professional chefs and a registered dietician plan and prepare individually-tailored meals from scratch. Volunteers package and deliver each meal, free of charge, to our neighbors in need.
In 2019, Project Angel Heart provided nearly 500,000 nutrient-rich meals to 3,000 Coloradans facing serious illness, 56% of whom live at or below 125% of the federal poverty level.
This year, because of COVID-19, Project Angel Heart had to significantly modify its operations. For several months, they were unable to utilize volunteers and instead tasked staff with delivering all meals. Project Angel Heart is happy to report they’re now back to about 75% volunteer capacity.
Fundraising in 2020 also took a significant hit since Project Angel Heart was unable to host several planned in-person fundraising events. The gap in funding is a major challenge this year, particularly because the clients they serve are the most vulnerable to COVID-19; more than ever, it’s critical that these individuals have access to the food they need and are able to stay safely at home.
Check out the video below for a look inside Project Angel Heart. Learn how they’re meeting client needs, despite the challenges of the pandemic, and find out what you can do to help.
Because of the meals Project Angel Heart provides, thousands of clients have reaped the benefits of medically tailored meals that meet their unique needs. Here are just a few of those benefits:
- Lower health care costs
- Greater client success in sticking to prescribed treatment plans
- Better health outcomes
- Reduced hospital readmission rates
- Overall improved health and wellbeing
These meals, made with so much love and care, are transforming the health and lives of Project Angel Heart and our greater community.
Visit Project Angel Heart’s website to learn more about its mission and community impact.
Client Testimonials
Here are just two of the many client stories about the impact Project Angel Heart has on the individuals they serve:
Latonia’s Story
“Latonia lives with congestive heart failure and a long list of related health issues. Because of her multiple health issues, Latonia often can’t stand long enough to cook for herself or her six-year-old son. With our heart-healthy medically tailored meals, Latonia is healthier and she and her son have enough to eat. ‘Before getting the meals, I was having to go see my doctor once or twice a month,’ says Latonia. ’Now I don’t have to go more than once every three or four months.’”
Don’s Story
“For years, Don, a teacher and Project Angel Heart client living with HIV/AIDS, relied on instant mac and cheese and microwave dinners, which were easy to prep when he was tired and not feeling well. But these meals weren’t supporting his health, and he ended up in a health crisis. ‘Now I microwave [Project] Angel Heart meals, but they are healthy, nutritional, very specifically calculated meals for my health,’ Don says. ‘And that’s enormous.’”
Read more about Don’s story here.
Why Did [company_name] Cares Choose Project Angel Heart as Its December 2020 Recipient?
[company_name] Cares gets connected with Denver-area nonprofits in a variety of ways. Some are recommended to us by clients, [company_name] team members, family, and friends. Others reach out to us directly! We’re always excited to partner with new organizations that share our passion and commitment for service to our community, and Project Angel Heart was no exception!
“When we first connected with Project Angel Heart, we knew they were a perfect fit for the [company_name] Cares program. The Denver-based nonprofit and its mission impact so many of our community, and it’s an honor to put a spotlight on them. We hope to megaphone Project Angel Heart’s mission throughout December and beyond.”
— Cassi Torres, [company_name] Cares co-founder
The [company_name] team even sat down to decorate a few Project Angel Heart bags. We’re sure they’ll put some smiles on the faces of whoever receives them!
How Is [company_name] Supporting Project Angel Heart?
[company_name] Cares is excited to support the life-altering work of Project Angel Heart in a number of ways, in December and beyond.
- We’ll provide every [company_name] client served during the month of December with info on Project Angel Heart and our support of their mission, including a brochure from Project Angel Heart.
- We’ll be promoting Project Angel Heart right here on our blog and on social media throughout the month.
- Every time you buy a hat or t-shirt from our [company_name] online shop during December, we’ll donate $4 to Project Angel Heart.
- As is the case with all our [company_name] Cares recipients, we’ll deliver a donation check to Project Angel Heart at the end of the month.
- When you purchase a [company_name] Club Membership during the month of December, we’ll donate $10 in your honor to Project Angel Heart.
- We’ll also give back 1% of the revenue generated from the [company_name] Colorado truck during the month of December. That goes directly to Project Angel Heart.
- We’re inspired by the wonderful impact Project Angel Heart has on communities here in Colorado, and we’re honored to throw our support behind them this month (and beyond!). Thanks for joining us in supporting them, too!
How Can I Support Project Angel Heart?
Project Angel Heart needs your support this year more than ever. They’re facing a major fundraising gap because of COVID-19. As of late November, they’ve raised $600,000 of their $2 million goals.
There are several ways our community can support Project Angel Heart, in December and long after.
Here are a few:
- Support their Delivering Hope & Health campaign to ensure every client in need can be served in 2021
- Volunteer your time as an individual, as part of a group, or for a special event
- Make a one-time online donation
- Give monthly to provide meals year-round
- Decorate a meal bag (like the guys from our team did!)
- Explore other ways to give here
Additionally, you can spread the word about the work Project Angel Heart is doing by telling family and friends! And if you or a loved one could benefit from receiving Project Angel Heart meals, visit this page to learn how to apply.
And you can follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
To learn more about Project Angel Heart, visit projectangelheart.org.
Can I Nominate a Nonprofit I Love for [company_name] Cares?
If you’d like to nominate a nonprofit you care about, you can submit your nomination right here on the [company_name] Cares page. Simply scroll down to the bottom of the page and fill out the form that looks like this:
As always, thanks for your support of [company_name] Cares. We look forward to hearing about the organizations around town that you care about and would like us to spotlight!