As a heart failure patient, Jeanneann has strict dietary needs, requiring fresh foods and home-cooked meals. “I can’t have a lot of pre-made food. I have to make meals,” she said.

Originally from New Jersey, Jeanneann moved to Houston in 2019 to improve her quality of life. Her current living situation requires her to move from one housing facility to another, making it difficult to access transportation to locations where help is available.

“I was living in a nicer area, but because certain services are limited to specific ZIP codes, I couldn’t get any assistance,” she said. “I had no idea it would be like this… but I need some sleep and rest as you can get very lethargic with heart failure.”

For Jeanneann, relief comes in the form of the fresh fruits and vegetables she receives. “You can do so much with those items. You can make smoothies, drinks, a salad,” she said. The food supplements her state benefits, which don’t stretch far enough to cover her dietary needs. “It’s making a big difference. I’m following my doctor’s orders. I want to do what I need to do to have better health, and this is what this food does for me. It gives me quality of life.”

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