Compassion Delivered

Giving someone a meal is also giving someone hope, support, and strength

WRITTEN BY SARAH SMITH. PHOTOS BY MICHELLE HERDLICK

Compassion Delivered Inc. provides free healthy meals to people coping with life-threatening or terminal illnesses. The organization believes that people should not have to choose between the medical care they need or suffer from malnutrition and hunger caused by their illnesses or diseases. A meal can give hope, compassion, and strength.

Daniel and Amanda Anschutz founded Compassion Delivered in January of 2017 after the couple came to understand the challenges people have when dealing with life-threatening illnesses and the struggle to secure nutritional support. They researched organizations around the country, talked to local meal providers, and realized Stark County did not have the same services that are available in other communities.

“Time is the most valuable commodity that we cannot get back. By providing meals free of charge, we can help people make the most of the time they have by resting and engaging with their family versus shopping and preparing meals,” said the Anschutz.

Compassion Delivered provides free, nutritional meals to people who are coping with life-threatening illnesses and diseases on a weekly basis. Each week, the recipient receives three frozen entrees and two 16-ounce homemade soups. Each entree is equivalent to two meals and includes a protein, a vegetable, and a starch. Compassion Delivered staff sources ingredients from local farms, butchers, and distributors to ensure quality and freshness. Meals are delivered frozen, allowing the recipient to eat the meal as they see fit. Compassion Delivered understands that the appetites of those suffering from illness are not like those of a healthy person, so convenience and flexibility are important. Compassion Delivered collaborates closely with community hospitals and nurse navigators to connect delivery services to those who would benefit from what the organization has to offer.

Meals crafted by Daniel, a culinary-trained chef who has worked at upscale restaurants and country clubs in the region, are delivered by volunteers who provide social interaction. Compassion Delivered prioritizes face-toface interaction and socialization with people, which along with meals, helps to ease the stress of living with a terminal illness so they can focus on resting and spending time with loved ones.

“We can’t do what we do without the amazing and dedicated group of volunteers that help make meals with Chef Daniel on Mondays and those who deliver the meals on Fridays,” said Amanda. “We couldn’t help the people we do without our volunteers.”

I didn’t know what to expect when I started receiving Compassion Delivered meals. But I realized right away every meal is made with love; they taste so good. It is what I needed as I was going through my treatments. I always felt relieved when I would be heading home, wondering what I would make for dinner but quickly realizing that I’d have meals already ready for me. That gave me comfort. Thank you for caring for me during this time of my life.” Denise, meal recipient.

Each person interested in meal delivery fills out an application in collaboration with their healthcare provider that helps Compassion Delivered understand the patient’s needs and why procuring healthy meals is a challenge. A case review is done every four to six months to keep Compassion Delivered apprised of changes in health status and the ongoing need for meal delivery.

“Friday has become my favorite day because I know that my volunteer will show up with good meals and show me kindness and compassion by caring about what I am going through. That’s the best,” said Marie, a meal recipient.

Since 2017, the organization has packaged and delivered more than 25,000 meals to people fighting life-threatening illnesses. Currently, 50 families rely on Compassion Delivered to provide weekly healthy meals. They also depend on the emotional support as the volunteers and clients form a strong bond. Compassion Delivered currently serves only Stark County but envisions serving other counties in Ohio.

The meal program costs $35 per week per client. Dedicated volunteers help prepare and deliver the meals, so most of the expenses are incurred by purchasing food and supplies. However, since the start of the pandemic, food costs are significantly higher, and disruptions in the supply chain have impacted the ability to buy the needed supplies and food. Applications have doubled, and requests from clients for additional non-perishable items have increased significantly.

To volunteer in the kitchen, deliver meals, decorate our delivery bags or write an encouragement card, please visit www.compassiondelivered.org/volunteer. To donate to provide meals at no cost, please visit www.compassiondelivered.org/ donate. Other fundraisers include the 3rd annual Swing for Change Golf Outing on Monday, June 12th at the Quarry Golf Course and the 6th annual Be the Change Gala on Friday, October 20th at the Doubletree in Downtown Canton.

“We believe that everyone undergoing medical treatment for a life-threatening illness deserves access to nutritious food, which is why we do not qualify our clients based on their age or income,” Amanda added. “We know our meals are keeping our clients well-fed and that our service is a helping hand they are grateful for in their time of need. Programs like Compassion Delivered demonstrate that meal recipients have lower healthcare costs and hospital readmission rates, less stress, and more energy.”

Compassion Delivered is located at 1320 Bel Air Dr. NW, North Canton. More information can be found at www. compassiondelivered.org or by calling 330-575-0996.