Tri-Valley Volunteer Receives 49ers Community Quarterback Award

Pleasanton CA

17 September, 2021

5:33 PM

Description

Press release from Culinary Angels: The San Francisco 49ers football organization has named David Moirao of Pleasanton, California as the recipient of its annual Community Quarterback Award. The program recognizes volunteers who demonstrate leadership, dedication and a commitment to bettering the San Francisco Bay Area. Moirao was selected out of more than 35 candidates nominated by nonprofits across Northern California. Moirao was nominated by Culinary Angels, an almost entirely volunteer-based Livermore non-profit that prepares and delivers nutrient-rich meals to those going through cancer treatment and others facing serious health challenges. The free meals are available to patients and their caregivers in the Tri-Valley cities of Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, San Ramon, and Danville. "David has been an integral part of our organization from its early days," according to Culinary Angels Executive Director Lisa McNaney. "He consistently invests about 40 hours per week of his own time in a myriad of ways---from helping to put systems and a structure in place, to strategizing how we can serve more people, to working in the kitchen. We would not be where we are today without him," she added. Moraio lost a daughter to cancer in 2020, which furthered his commitment to Culinary Angels mission of helping those facing a serious medical diagnosis. In the midst of his family's tragedy during the pandemic, Culinary Angels operation was temporarily suspended. The organization, with Moraio's guidance, pivoted to delivering organic produce and recipes to recipients. Culinary Angels has prepared and delivered more than 7,000 nutritious meals to local East Bay patients since its inception in 2016. Approximately 95% of the organization's recipients are actively undergoing treatment for cancer, and the program is open to those facing other medical challenges as well. The meals prepared by Culinary Angels are delicious, mostly organic and ample----often providing multiple meals for patients and/or their caregivers. A typical menu could include Fresh Pea Soup, Chicken Tacos, Simple Crunchy Slaw, Herbed Rice, and Energy Bites for dessert. Cancer research indicates that roughly one-fifth of all cancers in the United States are linked to excess weight, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, or excessive alcohol consumption. For this reason, Culinary Angels is focused not only on feeding patients nutritious, organic, anti-oxidant based meals, but also on educating their clients about such foods. All of the recipes used in meals are posted on the Culinary Angels website for clients to share with family and/or caregivers, or to try for themselves. Anyone, at any age or income level, who is going through a serious health challenge, is eligible for meals from Culinary Angels. Those interested in receiving meals from Culinary Angels can do so by visiting the website at www.culinaryangels.org. This press release was produced by Culinary Angels. The views expressed here are the author's own.