Lifelong is the leading community health organization serving people with chronic illnesses in Western Washington. We believe all people have a right to a roof over their head, healthy food to eat, and access to affordable healthcare. CSB's mission is to empower people living with chronic conditions to lead healthier lives.
About Chicken Soup Brigade - A Food Program of Lifelong
Food is medicine. For most people living with chronic illnesses, a nourishing meal can make a huge difference in the struggle for wellness. Chicken Soup Brigade (CSB) improves the nutritional health of individuals living with chronic conditions and hunger. We recognize the importance of nutrition to overall heath. It has the power to reduce symptoms of many illnesses, minimize the side effect of medication, and provide comfort when it is needed most.
Chicken Soup's clients have complex health challenges, such as, diabetes, kidney disease, HIV, cancers, or disabling arthritis. Most are living below the federal poverty level. Chicken Soup offers a comprehensive food and nutrition program designed not only to feed people, but to nourish them.
How do we do it? Chicken Soup Brigade has three programs to ensure people are getting medically appropriate food they need to continue their fight for wellness:
1. Our nutritious bags of groceries provide wholesome nutritious items that include dairy and meats, fresh produce, and a variety of easily prepared comfort foods that are both medically and culturally appropriate for our clients. Chicken Soup Brigade ensures that people are getting the food they need and have the ability to prepare and heat.
2. Our kitchen prepares medically appropriate meals to be delivered to homebound seniors or non-seniors living with disabling illnesses. Our meals follow the American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association nutritional guidelines. Under the leadership of our executive chef and with guidance from our registered dietitians, Chicken Soup Brigade meals are lovingly prepared from scratch and frozen for delivery so all our clients need to do for a healthy meal is reheat and eat when the time is convenient for them. Nutritious meals do not need to be difficult when so many other parts of life are.
3. Chicken Soup Brigade's team of registered dietitians provide nutritional counseling that includes a thorough assessment of each client's nutritional health and individual dietary needs. Together the dietitian and the client determine which diet changes work into the client's current lifestyle, including social and financial limitations.
All of these services are provided at no cost to our clients. Our clients should not have to make the tough choice between eating well or paying for other essential needs and services. In 2014, Chicken Soup Brigade delivered 40,000 grocery bags and 162,000 meals to 1,600 clients living in King County. In 2015, our client list continues to grow as we rapidly expand our operations to deliver more groceries and life-saving meals to the most vulnerable among us.
How you can help? Come volunteer at Chicken Soup Brigade's Meal Production Center in Georgetown. We're open Monday - Friday 9am-7pm and Saturdays 9am-2:30pm. To become a volunteer, fill out an application on our website www.lifelong.org/volunteer or call 206-957-1776 read more