Art of Aging: Philabundance, KleinLife partnership assures home-delivered meals continue for senior citizens across Philadelphia

By On Jun 30, 2021

KITCHENER (WPVI) – KleinLife employees in northeast Philadelphia have worked hard throughout the pandemic to keep the seniors in the area well fed.

They have provided increased numbers of frozen meals to seniors, despite losing many of the volunteer groups they could rely on to cook these meals.

“We had to buy our meals and it became unaffordable,” said Andre Krug, President and CEO of KleinLife.

Krug says KleinLife has grown to become the largest senior citizen center in Philadelphia over the years, serving around 3,500 meals a week during the height of the pandemic.

“The demand for delivered meals has skyrocketed,” he said.

Fortunately, KleinLife’s longtime partner, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, stepped in by sponsoring a partnership with Philabundance, a hunger relief organization.

Melissa Greenberg, executive vice president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, says her organization is there – “serving the most vulnerable in our community” – by connecting philanthropists with need and partnership.

“And that was just a perfect match,” she said.

“We’re working to reduce hunger in our communities,” said Loree Jones, CEO of Philabundance.

The nonprofit is doing this by providing urgent food aid to the people who need it now.

Jones said seniors needed an extra boost. Senior meals are now being prepared for KleinLife in the Philabundance Community Kitchen.

“It’s a culinary education program designed to help low-income people in our area learn cooking skills so they can find meaningful employment,” said Jones.

“We teach culinary skills such as knife techniques, but also life skills,” says Brian Ricci, chief instructor at Philabundance Community Kitchen.

This important partnership will ensure seniors across the region continue to enjoy high quality, nutritious meals.

“We can buy the meals from Philabundance and deliver them to people’s homes,” said Krug.

“It’s an uplifting feeling to help other people,” said Jay Lipschutz, a longtime volunteer delivery driver for KleinLife.

“Working with KleinLife to make sure people are getting healthy food safely is something we are proud of,” said Jones.

“It’s amazing when you can bring people together,” said Greenberg. “And we are honored to do this work.”

Krug says this partnership is the best thing that has ever happened to KleinLife.

“It serves the needs of the community and I’m glad we made it,” he said.

For more informations:
KleinLife – Philadelphia Community Center: Family and Seniors Services
Philabundance – the leader in the fight against hunger
Greater Philadelphia Jewish Federation