How Angie Found Meaning and Community at Project Angel Heart

When Angie first heard about Project Angel Heart more than a decade ago, she was looking for an opportunity to spend her time in a way that mattered. A coworker mentioned the organization, and Angie decided to check it out. “I just really wanted to do something that felt important and useful,” she said. “Something that would help other people and make me feel productive.”

After spending her career as a social worker, Angie was drawn to the mission of Project Angel Heart and the opportunity to stay connected to helping others. Over the years, she has taken on a variety of roles—from morning kitchen shifts to Tuesday night chopping, and, for the past four years, shuttling meals to distribution sites on Saturdays.

Angie especially enjoys shifts that offer a bit of social connection. “I get to meet other people, talk, and feel part of something,” she added. For Angie, that sense of connection is what keeps her coming back week after week.

This year, she reached an incredible milestone, completing more than 100 volunteer shifts in just one year, one of only a handful of volunteers to do so. She didn’t even realize it until she received an engraved cutting board in recognition of her service. “I wasn’t keeping track of how many times I’d been here,” she said with a smile. “I just really like the people and the mission.”

For Angie, the mission continues to inspire her. “I think it’s such a valuable service to provide medically tailored meals for people who can’t meet their dietary needs on their own,” she said. “And I love that Project Angel Heart doesn’t turn people away based on income. It’s truly about helping anyone who needs it.”

After 12 years and more than 100 shifts, Angie’s dedication hasn’t wavered. She often encourages friends to get involved, knowing how impactful the work truly is. As she puts it, “It’s rewarding, it’s social, and it’s meaningful. It makes you feel good knowing you’re doing something that helps others.”