When illness strikes, even the smallest everyday tasks can become overwhelming. With a donation of DKK 200,000 from the Sol og Strand Foundation Sol og Strand Margit and Kjeld, Det Kærlige Måltid can continue its work of delivering nutritious meals – accompanied by a personal handwritten greeting – to families affected by serious illness or physical trauma.

"We are very grateful for the donation, which is of great importance to our efforts. Raising funds is a lot of work, so we can continue to deliver nutritious meals to families affected by illness," says Charlotte Thyberg, founder and director of Det Kærlige Måltid.

In addition to providing meals for families in difficult circumstances, Det Kærlige Måltid also focuses on supporting the many volunteers who carry out the work. About half of the volunteers are young people between the ages of 15 and 30. They are part of a strong and meaningful community where they learn about cooking and health.

"It's not just important to provide good, nutritious meals. It's just as important that we create a safe community for the volunteers," says Charlotte Thyberg.

She estimates that approximately 20 percent of young volunteers find themselves in life situations where everyday life is characterized by worries, diagnoses, and social or mental vulnerability.

Every week, we see volunteers chatting about this and that, laughing together, learning from each other, and challenging each other. This creates a sense of security that for some of these young people can otherwise be a rare part of their everyday lives. At the same time, they feel that they are needed and that their efforts make a real difference – and that they are part of a community that creates both well-being and meaning, says Charlotte Thyberg.

Calm about finances

People who want to make a real difference to others gather in the kitchens in Aarhus, Aalborg, and Odense to prepare and package meals. The volunteer group ranges from Loving Cooks and Loving Preparers to volunteer health professionals who are responsible for visits, and Loving Couriers who deliver the meals to families.

We are experiencing tremendous support and currently have a waiting list for our volunteer groups, for which we are very grateful. However, this does not mean that we can readily assist more families. In order to upgrade and expand our efforts, we need more funds. My hope is that we can create a stronger financial foundation that will give us the peace of mind to focus on our core mission, says Charlotte Thyberg.

 FACT:

• The Loving Meal is a nonprofit organization where volunteers prepare and deliver healthy, nutritious meals to individuals and families affected by life-threatening illness or physical trauma.
• The organization has offices in Aarhus, Aalborg, and Odense.
• The initiative gives families a break from their difficult everyday lives and at the same time creates a safe and meaningful community for volunteers.
• A significant part of the work is based on the use of surplus goods and a targeted focus on sustainability and reducing food waste.
• Since its inception in 2019, the organization has prepared and delivered 175,000 meals to families throughout Denmark.
• In 2025, around 320 volunteers were part of Det Kærlige Måltid. Since 2019, more than 1,000 volunteers have contributed to Det Kærlige Måltid.