Kitchen Angels is dedicated to providing free, nutritious meals to our homebound neighbors facing life-challenging conditions.  Our mission is accomplished through the talented efforts of 227 volunteers each week who donate 19,239 hours of service annually.  We have only 3.5 paid staff members.        

Everyone involved in the direct provision of nutrition services to the critically ill and/or elderly knows that appropriate nutrition is a key component in successfully managing any critical or chronic disease.  We also know that vulnerable populations who are well nourished are less prone to opportunistic infections and hospitalization. 

We know that food and nutrition programs help to keep families together, keep communities stable and bring dignity, hope and independence to vulnerable and ill individuals.  With the cost of feeding one individual for an entire year being equal to the cost of one day in the hospital, there is great economic sense in supporting nutrition programs.  We know that food and nutrition programs prevent doctors, hospitals and social service agencies from being overwhelmed. 

New Mexico has safety net programs for women and children and individuals over 65 years, but nothing designed to meet the needs of the homebound who fall outside of these groups. 

In 2008, we were able to provide service for each individual who met our criteria.  Kitchen Angels has never had a waiting list for service.  In our 16 year history, we have prepared and delivered 478,527 meals to more than 2,722 homebound individuals. 

From our most recent Client Satisfaction Survey, we learned that

·        98% of our clients experience a high level of satisfaction with our service

·        77% reported their diet had improved since beginning our service

·        47% had experienced improved health as a result of consistent nutrition

·        83% stated Kitchen Angels service has improved their ability to afford medications

·        97% of our clients reported they could not remain in the comfort and familiarity of their homes without Kitchen Angels.  Of this percentage

o       87% do not know where they would go to live

o       10% thought they would become homeless

As a support program, Kitchen Angels provides a continuum of service that helps to maintain the physical and emotional well-being of those we serve.  Kitchen Angels meal program provides services to meet the basic needs of individuals who cannot provide adequate nutrition for themselves.

In a letter, one of our clients wrote:  “The wonderful dishes you sent, and the dear Angels who delivered them, made a very real difference in my life every day.  While the delicious food nourished my body, the kindly Angels nurtured my spirit.  It’s a very rare helping hand that allows those whom it helps to retain their pride and dignity, and the Kitchen Angels do that.”

 Randall Galloway & Bill Thornton put finishing touches on a holiday dessert.