Between hospitalizations and frequent medical appointments, Chai Lifeline families navigating illness at home can often feel overwhelmed. The Chai Lifeline Southeast Freezer Program helps alleviate that burden and provides families with a sense of calm and relief. The new Miami Beach location has just been added as the fifth location of this program, which also provides meal support to families across South Florida, including Boca, Hollywood, North Miami Beach, and Atlanta, GA. This program allows Chai Lifeline families to choose foods from a detailed menu that local community members prepare and freeze in advance. The Chai Lifeline family is then delivered a freezer full of delicious, home-cooked foods—from soups to desserts and everything in between—to be pulled out and warmed up at the family’s convenience.
Janine Klein, the founder of the Freezer Program in the Southeast region, reflects, “Moving to across the street from the Chai Lifeline Southeast office was meant to be, as I was looking to create a hands-on chesed experience for volunteers to help others from the comfort of their homes. The success of the Chai Lifeline Freezer Program has been made possible by the many community members who cook and stock the freezer to capacity with delicious homemade dishes that will last 1-2 months for Chai Lifeline families. I’m so honored to volunteer for Chai Lifeline Southeast and watch everyone get involved.”
The growth of this initiative has been incredibly impactful, alleviating the stress of meal preparations while parents are being pulled in many directions. One mother who receives the support of the new freezer program location shares, “I’m actually speechless, as the food provided for my family took a huge burden off my plate. I’m so incredibly grateful to Chai Lifeline Southeast and the amazing ladies who cooked for me and my family.”
