“Since I was first drafted by the Dolphins, Lynn and I looked for ways to give back to the community that welcomed and supported us as we raised our family and launched our restaurants. When we were invited to be part of feeding isolated seniors in Broward County, we knew that just like in football, it takes a team to win.” – John Offerdahl

A government grant through the Older Americans Act covers much of the meal costs. Lynn explains, “When we looked at what seniors had typically been getting, it was lower-priced, processed, institutional food —we wanted a way to deliver food that looks good, tastes good, and is good for them.” John and Lynn work with a registered dietician and their Offerdahl’s Off-The-Grill staff to source the freshest, most nutrient-dense and appetizing ingredients, which come at a price.

“We partner with community funders like The Jim Moran Foundation, Community Foundation of Broward, Miami Dolphins Foundation, Aging and Disability Re- source Center and others to cover the price gap so senior neighbors get the very best in every meal.”

The passion for excellence and God-inspired creativity doesn’t stop once the meals are planned and packaged. Lynn shares, “As part of a small pilot program, John and I went with a mom and her teen daughter to deliver food to a home- bound retired teacher. It was obvious the relationship meant more than just the meals—the time they spent together was the highlight of the week for all three of them.

I knew God was calling us to find a way to sustain that relational connection even when the program expanded to serve 500 seniors each week.”

Shifting from a few delivery drivers to hundreds of volunteers takes all of us. This is where you come in as a volunteer! Volunteer drivers can be an individual, a couple, family or friends. They’re students (volunteering is great for community service hours), businesspeople, and retirees—anyone who can give an hour a week to meet a need and make a connection. In God’s economy, the lives changed are on both sides of the hand-off.

“This November, hundreds of South Florida churches will do a unified series called Love like Jesus. We’re committed to love, pray, and serve like Jesus. I pray what happens through these local outreaches like Hand-Off Meals for Seniors captures our community’s imagination to be a part of the kingdom of God going forth, not just in November but every month of the year.” – Eddie Copeland, Executive Director of Church United

“My day-to-day life as an electrical engineer- ing student is stuck up with a bunch of hard classes and responsibilities. On Wednes- days, delivering meals to Miriam gives me an escape from that pressure. She’s 102 which is five times my age, but the age difference is no big deal. Getting to know seniors like Miriam brings joy to my life.”
— Woody

“My A-1 favorite meal is the salad with shrimp and A-2 is the salad with salmon. I can usually make 2-3 meals out of each container.” She leans forward to whisper, “I don’t like the dark green stuff (arugula) so I just pick it out!” — Miriam