Community Servings has experienced a dramatic 13 percent increase in demand for home-delivered meals for the critically ill during the past year. That's up from an average annual two percent increase - representing a more than six-fold growth in demand for services. 

The surge comes as more hospitals, health providers and others are recognizing the important role reliable access to nutritious meals plays in improving patient health, enhancing medication adherence and preventing unnecessary hospital readmissions. 

"Community Servings meets an important need for our patients: hunger," said Cara Westerhoff, a renal social worker at DaVita Dialysis. "More than just the food itself, by providing free meal delivery, Community Servings minimizes the stress that our patients feel..."

Almost half of all Americans - more than 133 million people - live with at least one chronic illness, according to a 2005 study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. About 37 percent of Community Servings' clients are battling renal disease or diabetes, while more than 20 percent are fighting cancer, and another 38 percent are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.  Community Servings provides meals to low income individuals and families with chronic illness, more than 95 percent of whom live at or below the poverty line. 

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