According to the American Cancer Society, Tennessee has higher cancer rates than almost anywhere else in the nation. The last thing anyone with cancer or a loved one with cancer wants to think about is cooking dinner. That’s where The Heimerdinger Foundation steps in. This nonprofit provides free and healthy meals to Davidson and Williamson Country residents who are currently undergoing cancer treatments. I spoke with Executive Director Katharine Ray to learn more about the program.
How did you get involved with The Heimerdinger Foundation?
“I first met the founder of our nonprofit organization, Kathie Heimerdinger, in 2012 when she was developing the Meals 4 Health and Healing program. Her family’s story of honoring her husband’s memory and giving back to the community touched my heart. Having been in cancer support nonprofit work for years, I admired the focus on high-quality nutrition, which is supported by research as effective in healing and countering the wounds of cancer. Nourishing someone so that they can heal resonates with me as a cancer survivor myself.
“A poignant memory for me is the summer of 1975, when I was going through cancer treatment as a teenager. I remember daily treatments that left me sick and exhausted. I came home from the hospital each day to sleep off the nauseating side effects. I would wake up in the late afternoon to the sounds and aromas of my mother preparing a dinner of fresh vegetables and fruit from our garden. Being served food to support healing during one of the most traumatic times in your life, physically and emotionally, is something you never forget — that is a profound gift of love!”
What services does the foundation's Meals 4 Health and Healing provide?
“Meals 4 Health and Healing, our signature program, nourishes the bodies, minds, and hearts of those facing cancer through the power of healthy meals and nutrition education. We directly provide and deliver nutrient-dense meals and nutrition education free of charge to people in Williamson and Davidson counties facing cancer, and we wrap a caring community around families. Every week, we provide approximately 1,000 nutrient-dense servings to up to 120 cancer patients and their caregivers from all walks of life, so that those going through one of the hardest times in their lives can focus on healing. An annual dedicated group of over 250 adult and teen volunteers who cook and deliver our healing meals directly to homes are the pulse of our program through their caring hearts and helping hands. Youth development is also an important part of our mission as we bring teens into our program to learn about nutrient-dense foods, cooking, gardening, and giving back to the community.”
How can people sign up for the program?
“The only criteria for participating in our Meals 4 Health and Healing program is to be in cancer treatment and be a resident of Davidson or Williamson County. Simply email clients@hfmeals.org or visit hfmeals.org to complete an intake form and begin the application process.”
