foodfor thoughtSPRING 2013

Everyone knows that good nutrition is important, but for clients at Project AngelHeart, healthy and delicious food can enhance quality of life and increase chancesof improving health.

“The foods our clients eat are the building blocks for recovery and maintaininghealth. Recovery is much harder without nutritious meals,” said Logan Lafferty, ProjectAngel Heartʼs modified meals specialist. But not every client needs the same buildingblocks. Sixty‑seven percent of Project Angel Heart clients require meals modifiedto fit their own particular dietary needs.

This is especially important for clients with renal disease. “Renal disease can be ahard one. People with this disease cannot filter out the potassium in their food andpotassium buildup affects the heart,” Lafferty said. So Project Angel Heart steps in tohelp these clients by taking extra measures to ensure potassium levels are minimized.For example, if a meal contains potatoes, a food high in potassium, Project AngelHeart chefs dice the potatoes, soak them overnight, and then blanch them beforecooking in order to leach out the high levels of potassium.

Clients with cancer may also need modified meals, but for a different reason. “Cancertreatment can change our clientsʼ taste buds and reduce their appetites,” Laffertysaid, “so they may choose meals that are lower in seasoning or our ʻnakedʼ diet,which is completely bland.” For clients fighting cancer, this can make digesting foodeasier and may be their best chance to get the nutrition they need. Project AngelHeart is unique in offering meals modified in this way for cancer patients.

Good nutrition is the first step, but taste is equally important. Executive chef JonEmanuel has that covered. Emanuel estimates that Project Angel Heart has between300 and 500 mouthwatering recipes, and he is constantly developing new ones.

Emanuel grew up in a home that nurtured culinary experimentation. His father wasan excellent in‑home chef and encouraged Emanuel to taste food from all over theworld. This has informed Emanuelʼs culinary career: hemakes sure to draw on both local flavors and flavors fromaround the world for each recipe he creates. “Itʼs all healthy,”Emanuel said, “but it has to be delicious too.” Variety andmouth‑watering flavors help persuade Project Angel Heartʼsclients to eat more, giving them the nutrition they need anda better chance at recovery.

“ʼFood as medicine,̓ itʼs a quote from Hippocrates, and thatʼshow we think of it,” Emanuel said. “We believe, and the proofis in the pudding, that feeding our clients the way we dogives them a better chance at improving their health.”

Chefs Focus On Nutrition (and Tastiness!) in Efforts to Help Clients Thriveby Melinda Bezdek, PR and Communications Intern, Spring 2013

I am a great lover of food and even alittle bit picky. Your meals are so goodthat I find myself thinking ʻI would goout for this if I could go out!ʼ And,theyʼre helping me keep on weightand make everything so much easier.

–Eleanor, living with chronic obstructivepulmonary disease and type 2 diabetes

These meals taste so good, I thought,ʻThere's no way theyʼre renal and diabetic!ʼ Theyʼre delicious!

–Carl, living with end‑stage renal disease and type 2 diabetes

Thank you all...I get transported allaround the world in the dishes I eat.Your loving hands make every nutritionalintake a very meaningful experience. If I would rely on my own cooking, Iwould skip meals, eat poor and dowithout.

–John, living with HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C

Thank you all for the wonderful dinners;these meals are simply delicious. Theuse of international cuisine makes megrateful beyond description. And, theymake me want to eat again. Food islike medicine, it keeps the body

working and healthy...Yourprogram is life affirming.

–Glenda, living with lupus

From Our Clients

4950 Washington St.Denver, CO 80216

NON-PROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDDENVER, CO

PERMIT NO. 445

KEY DATESMarch 1‑29: Breakfast cereal driveDrop off boxes of cereal at Project Angel Heart or donate online during our March cereal drive (more info inside).

March 27, 6 pm: New volunteer orientation ‑ Denver

April 6, 11 am: New volunteer orientation ‑ Colorado Springs

April 13, 10 am: New volunteer orientation ‑ Denver

April 25: Dining Out for Life®Dine out at one of 300 participating restaurants for breakfast, lunch or dinner and 25 percent of your bill will support Project Angel Heart!

May 4, 11 am: New volunteer orientation ‑ Colorado Springs

May 11, 10 am: New volunteer orientation – Denver

May 16, 1 pm: New volunteer orientation ‑ Denver

May 17, 6 pm: Art for LifeJoin us for an evening of hors dʼoeuvres, cocktails, wine, desserts, good company, and fine art.

To register for a new volunteer orientation, please visitwww.ProjectAngelHeart.org/volunteer.

ProjectAngelHeart.org303‑830‑0202 | 800‑381‑5612

Facebook.com/ProjectAngelHeart

Twitter.com/proj_angelheart

OUR MISSION: Delivering nutritious meals to improve quality of life, at no cost, for those coping with life‑threatening illness.

Photo: Danielle Scott on Flickr

Project Angel Heart 2013 Spring Newsletter2 (303) 830‑0202 | (800) 381‑5612 | www.ProjectAngelHeart.org 3

You never know when you might end up on the receiving end of a programyou once supported as a volunteer or a donor. It happened to David.

He and Project Angel Heart go way back, back to the days when theorganization was just a budding nonprofit operating out of the kitchen ofSt. Barnabas Episcopal Church. “Twenty years ago, when Project AngelHeart was starting, I had a catering business in Denver,” David said. “Oneof my chefs told me about the organization and asked for a food donation.”David did his research on Project Angel Heart and was impressed. “It justgrabbed me,” he said. David became one of Project Angel Heartʼs firstdonors.

With a personal mission that includes feeding people, itʼs not surprisingthat David was attracted to Project Angel Heart. His mother cultivated alove of food in him that flourished into a forty‑year career. Along with thecatering business in Denver, David owned restaurants in Winter Park andGrand Lake, and earned himself a place in the Colorado Foodservice Hallof Fame. To add to his culinary accomplishments, David also collaboratedwith his mother on a cookbook, Homemadely Yours, which is currently inits fourth edition.

After a long and fulfilling career, David left the food and beverage industryfor retirement. Unfortunately the stress‑free life of a retiree did not awaithim. Not long after selling his business, David was diagnosed with prostatecancer that had spread to his bones, as well as liver disease. His medicalbills piled up fast and his only option for insurance cost $5,000 a month,more than he could afford. “My funds were depleted. I lost my condo andI sold everything I could, but I still ran out of money,” David said.

Not only did his illness drain his bank account, it also sapped his energy. “Iusually just sit on the couch now with my dog. I donʼt have the energy Iused to,” he said. But that hasnʼt stopped David completely. He still workstwo days a week with the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. “I love thatjob. Itʼs terrific and very fulfilling,” David said. Despite his illness, David said,“I am happy.” He isnʼt just saying it; he means it. Heʼs got a flare of positivity.A recent fall left him sore and bruised, but David shrugged it off saying,“Well, thatʼs showbiz.”

In February of 2012, David returned to Project Angel Heart, but this timeas a client. Meals from the organization have helped give David thestrength to continue to contribute to his community and keep up his positiveattitude. “Project Angel Heart is a real blessing,” David said. “Itʼs beenwonderful for me, and the food is very good.”

Illness Saps Strength, But Not Spirit, of Supporter‑Turned‑Clientby Melinda Bezdek, PR and Communications Intern, Spring 2013

From the President & CEO

Dear Friends,

Thereʼs nothing more sacred than your trustin us. Thatʼs why it is especially gratifyingwhen we get a little outside recognition forthe less “glamorous” aspects of our work...things like financial health, governance,transparency and accountability.

Last month, we were honored to once againreceive a 4‑star rating from Charity Navigator,Americaʼs largest independent charityevaluator. It is the eighth time that ProjectAngel Heart has earned this top rating in thelast nine years.

Charity Navigator has been recognizing fiscallyresponsible organizations with 4‑star ratingssince 2002. In 2011, they added a seconddimension, accountability and transparency,to the rating methodology. The new metricscontinue to recognize organizations withfinancial strength while also highlightingorganizations with “best practices” thatminimize the chance of unethical activitiesand those that freely share basic informationabout their organization with donors andother stakeholders.

Because we care as deeply about earningyour trust as we do about providing deliciousand nourishing meals to Coloradans in need,we are proud to be one of only 51 nonprofitorganizations in Colorado that currentlyhold a 4‑star rating. Thank you for believingin us, trusting us with your investments ofdollars and time, and helping to keep uslean and efficient.

Together, we are making a difference for ourneighbors fighting cancer, end‑stage renaldisease, HIV/AIDS, heart and lung disease,and other serious illnesses! Many thanks fordoing your part in this effort.

Erin Pulling, MNMPresident & CEO

Due to rising costs, we are critically low onbreakfast cereal for our clients who receivebreakfast bags. We need your help tomake sure that these clients, individualswho need extra nutrition to successfullymanage or beat disease, can count on ahealthy breakfast each week.

During the month of March, we will beaccepting donations of standard‑sizeboxes of low‑sugar, whole grain cerealssuch as Cheerios, Rice Krispies, Special K,Bran Flakes, etc. (please, no bulk‑size orsingle‑serving boxes). Many of our clientsare unable to cook meals for themselves,so having cereal on‑hand is ideal as it canbe eaten at any time of day and doesnʼtrequire any preparation.

Help us reach our goal of collecting 2,500boxes of cereal! Grab an extra box or twowhile shopping or bring in an extra boxfrom your pantry to help us feed those inneed. Cereal donations can be dropped offat Project Angel Heart (4950 WashingtonStreet, Denver, 80216). Canʼt get to ourbuilding? Make a cash gift online atwww.ProjectAngelHeart.org/cereal‑drive.Thank you, and please spread the word toyour family, neighbors and friends!

Breakfast Cereal DriveEnds March 29

Dine and Be Oh‑So Divine at Dining Out for Life® 2013!Denver‑native and Project Runway All‑Starwinner Mondo Guerra is Dining Out for Lifein Denver on Thursday, April 25, and soshould you!

“Dining Out for Life is our opportunity tocelebrate friends, food and being trulyfabulous in helping others,” says the designer,who revealed his HIV‑positive status onRunway and has since become a forerunnerin HIV/AIDS advocacy. On this one dayalone, 300 metro Denver restaurants willdonate 25 percent of their food sales toProject Angel Heart.

This year, weʼre excited to announce a newpartnership with Denver‑based Forkly, amobile food app that helps diners aroundthe world find and share favorite dishes anddrinks. Based on your likes and dislikes, Forklywill show you the best dishes at participatingDining Out for Life restaurants. Downloadthe Forkly app at www. Forkly.com (itʼs free!).

Volunteer ambassadors are still needed to help us make Dining Out for Life asuccess. If you are willing to help greet and thank diners at participatingrestaurants during a breakfast, lunch or dinner shift, visit the Dining Out forLife page on our website or call 303‑830‑0202. Recruit a friend to work yourshift with you and make it a fun night (or day) out!

Mark your calendar for April 25, make plans to dine out or volunteer with us,and be part of one of the tastiest fundraisers of the year!

Guests enjoy the outdoor patio at Abend Gallery during Art for Life in 2012. Photo: McBoat Photography.

Project Runway All‑Star winner Mondo Guerra. Photo: Jeff Ball.

New Spring Date for Art for LifeMay 17, 2013, 6‑10 p.m.Abend Gallery | 2260 E. Colfax Ave

Project Angel Heart is gearing up for our 12th annual Art for Life eventon Friday, May 17, at the Abend Gallery in Denver. Donʼt miss out onthis opportunity to bid on works from many well‑known artists whilesipping cocktails and sampling a variety of gourmet hors dʼoeuvresand desserts.

The vibrant works of art donated by more than 100 talented local,regional, and nationally renowned artists bring passion and benevolenceto this annual event.

“I appreciate Project Angel Heart for the work they do. I hope mycontributions through Art for Life will bring attention to their cause,” saidRobert Spooner, a long‑time Art for Life participating artist. “For thosewho ask ʻwhy should I attend?ʼ, if it is not just for the charitable natureof giving, come on out to enjoy an evening of art and people with alot of soul!”

Visit www.ProjectAngelHeart.org to buy your tickets today!

David, one of Project Angel Heartʼs originaldonors and a current client, then and now.

Project Angel Heart 2013 Spring Newsletter2 (303) 830‑0202 | (800) 381‑5612 | www.ProjectAngelHeart.org 3

You never know when you might end up on the receiving end of a programyou once supported as a volunteer or a donor. It happened to David.

He and Project Angel Heart go way back, back to the days when theorganization was just a budding nonprofit operating out of the kitchen ofSt. Barnabas Episcopal Church. “Twenty years ago, when Project AngelHeart was starting, I had a catering business in Denver,” David said. “Oneof my chefs told me about the organization and asked for a food donation.”David did his research on Project Angel Heart and was impressed. “It justgrabbed me,” he said. David became one of Project Angel Heartʼs firstdonors.

With a personal mission that includes feeding people, itʼs not surprisingthat David was attracted to Project Angel Heart. His mother cultivated alove of food in him that flourished into a forty‑year career. Along with thecatering business in Denver, David owned restaurants in Winter Park andGrand Lake, and earned himself a place in the Colorado Foodservice Hallof Fame. To add to his culinary accomplishments, David also collaboratedwith his mother on a cookbook, Homemadely Yours, which is currently inits fourth edition.

After a long and fulfilling career, David left the food and beverage industryfor retirement. Unfortunately the stress‑free life of a retiree did not awaithim. Not long after selling his business, David was diagnosed with prostatecancer that had spread to his bones, as well as liver disease. His medicalbills piled up fast and his only option for insurance cost $5,000 a month,more than he could afford. “My funds were depleted. I lost my condo andI sold everything I could, but I still ran out of money,” David said.

Not only did his illness drain his bank account, it also sapped his energy. “Iusually just sit on the couch now with my dog. I donʼt have the energy Iused to,” he said. But that hasnʼt stopped David completely. He still workstwo days a week with the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. “I love thatjob. Itʼs terrific and very fulfilling,” David said. Despite his illness, David said,“I am happy.” He isnʼt just saying it; he means it. Heʼs got a flare of positivity.A recent fall left him sore and bruised, but David shrugged it off saying,“Well, thatʼs showbiz.”

In February of 2012, David returned to Project Angel Heart, but this timeas a client. Meals from the organization have helped give David thestrength to continue to contribute to his community and keep up his positiveattitude. “Project Angel Heart is a real blessing,” David said. “Itʼs beenwonderful for me, and the food is very good.”

Illness Saps Strength, But Not Spirit, of Supporter‑Turned‑Clientby Melinda Bezdek, PR and Communications Intern, Spring 2013

From the President & CEO

Dear Friends,

Thereʼs nothing more sacred than your trustin us. Thatʼs why it is especially gratifyingwhen we get a little outside recognition forthe less “glamorous” aspects of our work...things like financial health, governance,transparency and accountability.

Last month, we were honored to once againreceive a 4‑star rating from Charity Navigator,Americaʼs largest independent charityevaluator. It is the eighth time that ProjectAngel Heart has earned this top rating in thelast nine years.

Charity Navigator has been recognizing fiscallyresponsible organizations with 4‑star ratingssince 2002. In 2011, they added a seconddimension, accountability and transparency,to the rating methodology. The new metricscontinue to recognize organizations withfinancial strength while also highlightingorganizations with “best practices” thatminimize the chance of unethical activitiesand those that freely share basic informationabout their organization with donors andother stakeholders.

Because we care as deeply about earningyour trust as we do about providing deliciousand nourishing meals to Coloradans in need,we are proud to be one of only 51 nonprofitorganizations in Colorado that currentlyhold a 4‑star rating. Thank you for believingin us, trusting us with your investments ofdollars and time, and helping to keep uslean and efficient.

Together, we are making a difference for ourneighbors fighting cancer, end‑stage renaldisease, HIV/AIDS, heart and lung disease,and other serious illnesses! Many thanks fordoing your part in this effort.

Erin Pulling, MNMPresident & CEO

Due to rising costs, we are critically low onbreakfast cereal for our clients who receivebreakfast bags. We need your help tomake sure that these clients, individualswho need extra nutrition to successfullymanage or beat disease, can count on ahealthy breakfast each week.

During the month of March, we will beaccepting donations of standard‑sizeboxes of low‑sugar, whole grain cerealssuch as Cheerios, Rice Krispies, Special K,Bran Flakes, etc. (please, no bulk‑size orsingle‑serving boxes). Many of our clientsare unable to cook meals for themselves,so having cereal on‑hand is ideal as it canbe eaten at any time of day and doesnʼtrequire any preparation.

Help us reach our goal of collecting 2,500boxes of cereal! Grab an extra box or twowhile shopping or bring in an extra boxfrom your pantry to help us feed those inneed. Cereal donations can be dropped offat Project Angel Heart (4950 WashingtonStreet, Denver, 80216). Canʼt get to ourbuilding? Make a cash gift online atwww.ProjectAngelHeart.org/cereal‑drive.Thank you, and please spread the word toyour family, neighbors and friends!

Breakfast Cereal DriveEnds March 29

Dine and Be Oh‑So Divine at Dining Out for Life® 2013!Denver‑native and Project Runway All‑Starwinner Mondo Guerra is Dining Out for Lifein Denver on Thursday, April 25, and soshould you!

“Dining Out for Life is our opportunity tocelebrate friends, food and being trulyfabulous in helping others,” says the designer,who revealed his HIV‑positive status onRunway and has since become a forerunnerin HIV/AIDS advocacy. On this one dayalone, 300 metro Denver restaurants willdonate 25 percent of their food sales toProject Angel Heart.

This year, weʼre excited to announce a newpartnership with Denver‑based Forkly, amobile food app that helps diners aroundthe world find and share favorite dishes anddrinks. Based on your likes and dislikes, Forklywill show you the best dishes at participatingDining Out for Life restaurants. Downloadthe Forkly app at www. Forkly.com (itʼs free!).

Volunteer ambassadors are still needed to help us make Dining Out for Life asuccess. If you are willing to help greet and thank diners at participatingrestaurants during a breakfast, lunch or dinner shift, visit the Dining Out forLife page on our website or call 303‑830‑0202. Recruit a friend to work yourshift with you and make it a fun night (or day) out!

Mark your calendar for April 25, make plans to dine out or volunteer with us,and be part of one of the tastiest fundraisers of the year!

Guests enjoy the outdoor patio at Abend Gallery during Art for Life in 2012. Photo: McBoat Photography.

Project Runway All‑Star winner Mondo Guerra. Photo: Jeff Ball.

New Spring Date for Art for LifeMay 17, 2013, 6‑10 p.m.Abend Gallery | 2260 E. Colfax Ave

Project Angel Heart is gearing up for our 12th annual Art for Life eventon Friday, May 17, at the Abend Gallery in Denver. Donʼt miss out onthis opportunity to bid on works from many well‑known artists whilesipping cocktails and sampling a variety of gourmet hors dʼoeuvresand desserts.

The vibrant works of art donated by more than 100 talented local,regional, and nationally renowned artists bring passion and benevolenceto this annual event.

“I appreciate Project Angel Heart for the work they do. I hope mycontributions through Art for Life will bring attention to their cause,” saidRobert Spooner, a long‑time Art for Life participating artist. “For thosewho ask ʻwhy should I attend?ʼ, if it is not just for the charitable natureof giving, come on out to enjoy an evening of art and people with alot of soul!”

Visit www.ProjectAngelHeart.org to buy your tickets today!

David, one of Project Angel Heartʼs originaldonors and a current client, then and now.

foodfor thoughtSPRING 2013

Everyone knows that good nutrition is important, but for clients at Project AngelHeart, healthy and delicious food can enhance quality of life and increase chancesof improving health.

“The foods our clients eat are the building blocks for recovery and maintaininghealth. Recovery is much harder without nutritious meals,” said Logan Lafferty, ProjectAngel Heartʼs modified meals specialist. But not every client needs the same buildingblocks. Sixty‑seven percent of Project Angel Heart clients require meals modifiedto fit their own particular dietary needs.

This is especially important for clients with renal disease. “Renal disease can be ahard one. People with this disease cannot filter out the potassium in their food andpotassium buildup affects the heart,” Lafferty said. So Project Angel Heart steps in tohelp these clients by taking extra measures to ensure potassium levels are minimized.For example, if a meal contains potatoes, a food high in potassium, Project AngelHeart chefs dice the potatoes, soak them overnight, and then blanch them beforecooking in order to leach out the high levels of potassium.

Clients with cancer may also need modified meals, but for a different reason. “Cancertreatment can change our clientsʼ taste buds and reduce their appetites,” Laffertysaid, “so they may choose meals that are lower in seasoning or our ʻnakedʼ diet,which is completely bland.” For clients fighting cancer, this can make digesting foodeasier and may be their best chance to get the nutrition they need. Project AngelHeart is unique in offering meals modified in this way for cancer patients.

Good nutrition is the first step, but taste is equally important. Executive chef JonEmanuel has that covered. Emanuel estimates that Project Angel Heart has between300 and 500 mouthwatering recipes, and he is constantly developing new ones.

Emanuel grew up in a home that nurtured culinary experimentation. His father wasan excellent in‑home chef and encouraged Emanuel to taste food from all over theworld. This has informed Emanuelʼs culinary career: hemakes sure to draw on both local flavors and flavors fromaround the world for each recipe he creates. “Itʼs all healthy,”Emanuel said, “but it has to be delicious too.” Variety andmouth‑watering flavors help persuade Project Angel Heartʼsclients to eat more, giving them the nutrition they need anda better chance at recovery.

“ʼFood as medicine,̓ itʼs a quote from Hippocrates, and thatʼshow we think of it,” Emanuel said. “We believe, and the proofis in the pudding, that feeding our clients the way we dogives them a better chance at improving their health.”

Chefs Focus On Nutrition (and Tastiness!) in Efforts to Help Clients Thriveby Melinda Bezdek, PR and Communications Intern, Spring 2013

I am a great lover of food and even alittle bit picky. Your meals are so goodthat I find myself thinking ʻI would goout for this if I could go out!ʼ And,theyʼre helping me keep on weightand make everything so much easier.

–Eleanor, living with chronic obstructivepulmonary disease and type 2 diabetes

These meals taste so good, I thought,ʻThere's no way theyʼre renal and diabetic!ʼ Theyʼre delicious!

–Carl, living with end‑stage renal disease and type 2 diabetes

Thank you all...I get transported allaround the world in the dishes I eat.Your loving hands make every nutritionalintake a very meaningful experience. If I would rely on my own cooking, Iwould skip meals, eat poor and dowithout.

–John, living with HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C

Thank you all for the wonderful dinners;these meals are simply delicious. Theuse of international cuisine makes megrateful beyond description. And, theymake me want to eat again. Food islike medicine, it keeps the body

working and healthy...Yourprogram is life affirming.

–Glenda, living with lupus

From Our Clients

4950 Washington St.Denver, CO 80216

NON-PROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDDENVER, CO

PERMIT NO. 445

KEY DATESMarch 1‑29: Breakfast cereal driveDrop off boxes of cereal at Project Angel Heart or donate online during our March cereal drive (more info inside).

March 27, 6 pm: New volunteer orientation ‑ Denver

April 6, 11 am: New volunteer orientation ‑ Colorado Springs

April 13, 10 am: New volunteer orientation ‑ Denver

April 25: Dining Out for Life®Dine out at one of 300 participating restaurants for breakfast, lunch or dinner and 25 percent of your bill will support Project Angel Heart!

May 4, 11 am: New volunteer orientation ‑ Colorado Springs

May 11, 10 am: New volunteer orientation – Denver

May 16, 1 pm: New volunteer orientation ‑ Denver

May 17, 6 pm: Art for LifeJoin us for an evening of hors dʼoeuvres, cocktails, wine, desserts, good company, and fine art.

To register for a new volunteer orientation, please visitwww.ProjectAngelHeart.org/volunteer.

ProjectAngelHeart.org303‑830‑0202 | 800‑381‑5612

Facebook.com/ProjectAngelHeart

Twitter.com/proj_angelheart

OUR MISSION: Delivering nutritious meals to improve quality of life, at no cost, for those coping with life‑threatening illness.

Photo: Danielle Scott on Flickr