Annemarie and Ernie Sherretta

Annemarie and Ernie Sherretta got involved with Caring for Friends after hearing our founder, Rita Ungaro-Schiavone, speak to the congregation at St. John Neumann Church in Bryn Mawr, in the 1980s. Rita’s message was clear and compelling: volunteers were needed to make meals in their own home or with a group  for homebound people.

Ernie and Annemarie started making meals because it allowed them to address one of their life-long concerns – food waste. It was as easy as putting excess food from their dinner into trays and bringing it to the freezer at their church. They saw it as a way for them to redirect food that otherwise would go to waste. It was also the perfect solution for them to get involved in a hands-on way.

They still make meals to this day. “The hands-on nature of the organization makes us stay involved,” Annemarie said. “There are an incredible number of seniors in Philly, and they are often underserved and homebound. Getting food to these people in particular is so important.”

The Sherrettas became donors to Caring for Friends when Annemarie started working for a company that matched her donations. It was a perfect way to make an even bigger impact upon the organization that effectively and efficiently made use of contributions to feed people in need. That focus is the reason both Annemarie and Ernie love working with Caring for Friends.

Annemarie also noted that when meals taste good and are homemade, that makes a big difference in the lives of those receiving food – and friendship – from Caring for Friends.