Culinary Angels is the only Tri-Valley nonprofit that delivers nutrient-rich meals and nutrition education to cancer patients. Anyone of any age or income level who is going through a cancer challenge is eligible to have organic meals delivered to their home completely free of charge. Last year, the nonprofit increased its weekly output to over 100 meals for cancer patients and their caregivers across the Tri-Valley. It also strengthened its nutrition program with a new six-month rotating recipe system, developed with a nutrition educator and the nonprofit's head chef. In 2025, the organization's goal is to expand its meals service to five days per week as well as secure a larger commercial kitchen to meet growing demand.

June is Cancer Survivor Month. Culinary Angels is celebrating it with a Restaurant Month Fundraiser. Local restaurants are generously donating a percentage of their sales to the nonprofit, which invites the community to support the businesses that are supporting it on specific days. The Livermore businesses include Locanda on June 2, 9, 16, and 23; Sons of Liberty Alehouse on June 3, 10, 17, and 24; Laugh in a Glass at 3 Steves Winery on wine purchases on June 6; First Street Ale House on June 11 when Culinary Angels is mentioned; and Melo's Pizza on June 25 with a mention of Culinary Angels. Bottletaps in Pleasanton is donating a percentage of its sales from June 12.

In July, Culinary Angels will be launching a matching fundraiser campaign thanks to a partnership with the Community Health and Education Fund (CHEF). The goal is to raise $50,000 in donations to Culinary Angels. If that goal is reached, CHEF will contribute an additional $25,000 to the nonprofit. That means even small donations can have a big impact thanks to matching funds for providing nutrient-rich meals to those in cancer treatment.

"Culinary Angels serves more than food," notes Founder Lisa McNaney. "We deliver hope, nutrition, and wellness to those in cancer treatment and their caregivers. We are powered almost entirely by volunteers, including culinary professionals, retired doctors, students, and cancer survivors themselves. Also, every meal bag includes a handmade note of encouragement. It's a small touch that means the world to our recipients."

The nonprofit is 95% volunteer-based, according to McNaney, who says that every donation makes a real difference to the individuals they serve. Each meal costs roughly $14 and includes organic soup, broth, a main course, two sides, and dessert, all delivered free of charge. Moreover, after recovery the nonprofit's website continues to be helpful to former cancer patients and the public at large.

"When Culinary Angels was first founded in 2016, the goal was to only provide beautiful meals to those going through cancer," notes McNaney. "Over the years, we realized we had this amazing opportunity to not only deliver delicious and healing meals, but also help to inform, educate, and empower our recipients about how to create these meals on their own. Recipes for the meals we prepare are on our website, which allows them to sustain and maintain their wellness once the challenge is over."

Dining at supportive restaurant partners during June, donating during the July Matching Donation Campaign, and volunteering are all good ways to support the work done by Culinary Angels. Volunteers with the kitchen, delivery, and operations teams are also vitally important to the nonprofit's success. Finally, McNaney encourages the community to refer cancer patients to the nonprofit so they can receive meals. 

"Culinary Angels is more than a meal program," says McNaney. "It is a community of compassion. Every meal, every dollar, and every volunteer hour fuels a mission rooted in dignity, healing, and hope."

For more information about Culinary Angels, please visit culinaryangels.org, www.facebook.com/culinaryangels.org, or www.instagram.com/culinaryangels.