God’s Love We Deliver is gearing up to deliver 15,000 classic Thanksgiving meals — including turkey, stuffing, and sweet potato mash — to New Yorkers too ill to cook or shop for themselves. The SoHo-based organization’s kitchen is buzzing as the holiday approaches.

“It is a monthslong preparation to kinda get all of our ducks in a row for Thanksgiving, but once you got that, the plan kinda goes on its own,” said André Daquigan, executive chef at the organization. 

Founded in 1985 in response to the AIDS pandemic, the nonprofit provides medically tailored meals to individuals across the five boroughs. Around the kitchen, they like to say food is medicine, but doesn't have to taste like medicine.

“We believe this food is making them better, but I think more importantly, the research shows that medically tailored meals make people better, and God’s Love is the only nonprofit in New York City that is doing medically tailored meals,” said David Ludwigson, president and CEO of the organization.

The effort relies on the support of more than 23,000 volunteers annually, including over 1,000 who dedicate their time for Thanksgiving. Among them is Dimitri Moise, an HIV advocate and member of God’s Love’s genLove group for young professionals.

“I think that being at God’s Love is one of the best ways you can give back, build community while meeting amazing people that are volunteering in the kitchen, and also seeing the smiles on our clients’ faces when you are delivering meals around the city,” Moise said.

For those unable to volunteer, the organization offers other ways to support its work. God’s Love has maintained a no-waitlist policy despite growing demand for its services.

“Every fall we do a special fundraiser called ‘Celebrate with a Plate,’ and what that is, for a $20 donation, we will feed a client and a friend or a guest,” Ludwigson said.

To participate in the fundraiser or browse the God’s Love We Deliver holiday gift gatalog, visit the organization's website.