Serving with Heart: Volunteers Power JFSLA’s Senior Nutrition Efforts

Behind every fresh, healthy meal served to seniors through Jewish Family Service LA’s Senior Nutrition Program stands a dedicated volunteer. These individuals are essential in delivering not just food, but also companionship, dignity, and care to thousands of older adults across Los Angeles. From setting tables and plating meals to engaging in heartfelt conversations, volunteers transform meal sites into vibrant community hubs. Their commitment ensures that seniors receive nourishment and social connection vital for their well-being.

As we age, maintaining our health becomes more complex—not only due to changing dietary needs but also because of increased isolation and limited mobility. At the heart of the community response to this challenge is Jewish Family Service LA’s Senior Nutrition Program.

“We’re not just delivering calories, we’re delivering connection, oversight, and dignity,” said Siri Perlman, Director of the Senior Nutrition Program and a registered dietitian.

Each year, the Senior Nutrition Program provides free, hot meals to 3,400 seniors at one of our 13 meal sites across Los Angeles. At the meal sites, congregants experience the warmth of human connection and access to enrichment services and weekly special events. The Senior Nutrition Program also delivers meals to more than 800 homebound seniors across Los Angeles, offering both nourishment and compassionate contact. JFSLA drivers are trained to observe changes in clients’ behavior or living conditions and refer concerns to social workers or emergency services when needed. “It’s essentially a wellness check embedded in meal delivery,” Perlman said. For homebound seniors who may not see another person all day, this consistency can be lifesaving.

And for those unable to travel on their own, JFSLA offers transportation services to the meal sites. Community meal sites provide a space for participants to gather, socialize, and connect to additional services like counseling and case management, arts and wellness classes, and many more opportunities to connect and grow. “During the pandemic, many seniors forgot how vital that sense of community was. When they returned, they told us, ‘I didn’t realize how much I needed this,’” Perlman recalled.

Volunteers: The Heartbeat of the Program

A cornerstone of the Senior Nutrition Program’s success is its dedicated volunteer base. Stratton Harrison, who oversees the congregate meal sites, emphasizes the indispensable role volunteers play: “Volunteers are an essential part of our program. The majority of our meal sites have volunteers that come daily to help with meal service. We serve so many clients that the work couldn’t be done without their help.”

 “When volunteers not only bring meals but also bring a smile, share stories, and listen, they help create a community. That’s what we look for—someone who adds to the environment and wants to socialize with the clients,” Stratton shared.

The impact of volunteers extends beyond meal service. They forge genuine connections with clients, often becoming a cherished part of their daily lives. “I’ve seen volunteers and clients form meaningful relationships. Clients often express how much they enjoy having certain volunteers around, and volunteers share how much they value the stories and interactions with the seniors,” Stratton noted.

JFSLA continues to partner with local vendors and is even exploring rooftop gardens for fresh herbs. The organization also works in coalition with Meals on Wheels California and the Aging & Disabilities Nutrition Equity Alliance (ADNEA) to advocate for equitable, sustainable senior nutrition services statewide.

Thanks to the dedication of our incredible volunteers, hundreds of older adults receive nourishing meals and meaningful connection each week—reminding us that compassion is the heart of our community.

 As Perlman puts it: “Yes, the meal is essential. But so is the person receiving it. We are here to nourish both.”

Interested in Volunteering?

If you’re inspired to make a difference in the lives of seniors, consider joining our volunteer team. For more information, please contact Joyce Williams, our dedicated Volunteer Director, who plays a pivotal role in recruiting and placing volunteers within our programs. Email volunteer@jfsla.org or call 323-556-2928.