Member Spotlight from Ward AME, Washington, DC: Kyle Brown

By Sandra Jo Bonner-Hadley, 2nd Episcopal District

People’s motivation for helping others can vary widely and are influenced by a combination of factors. While some individuals genuinely enjoy helping others and derive personal satisfaction
from doing so, others may have different reasons for their actions.

Kyle Brown is well-acquainted with the impact a home-delivered meal can have on someone who cannot cook for themselves. For years, Kyle had been commuting twice a week to Pennsylvania, splitting time with his sister to care for his aging mother, and decided he wanted to spend his extra time giving back to the community.

After six years of delivering meals with FOOD & FRIENDS, Kyle was sidelined from his regular volunteer service by both a hip and shoulder injury. During the extended break from his weekly delivery route, Kyle started thinking about other ways he could give back to FOOD & FRIENDS and help sustain its mission for the years to come.

FOOD & FRIENDS is the first agency in the nation to earn accreditation from the Food is Medicine Coalition (FIMC) Medically Tailored Meal Intervention Accreditation Criteria and requirements, which set a new standard for agencies delivering medically tailored meal interventions.

Kyle received a Food & Friends Personal Estate Planning Kit, and after consulting with his financial planner about updating his estate plans, and he said that he had always kept in the back of his mind he wanted to leave something to Food & Friends. “I haven’t been able to go out and physically deliver, now is the time!”

Kyle Brown is a member of the Senior Ushers Auxiliary, Ward’s Economic Development Team and the Men’s Choir. Kyle is married to his lovely wife, Pam.