Published: December 30, 2025
By: Ellen Crane
Former Miami Dolphins linebacker John Offerdahl and his wife, Lynn, are rallying volunteers to join their Hand-Off program, delivering fresh meals and vital human connection to Broward’s homebound seniors.
John Offerdahl, who was the Miami Dolphins’ star linebacker for eight years, and his wife, Lynn, have made it their passion to ensure that disadvantaged homebound seniors living in Broward County receive fresh, nutritious meals delivered weekly by friendly volunteers.
They recently launched a campaign to recruit volunteer delivery drivers for their Hand-Off Meals for Seniors program, which is supporting more than 500 seniors in the community. Volunteer Drivers are asked to donate only one hour a week to this effort to fight senior hunger and isolation. Signing up is easy on the nonprofit’s website at handoffmeals.com or by contacting Delivery@HandOffMeals.com. A video on the website features John and Lynn talking about how it takes a team – like in football – to meet this critical need.
“Too many seniors in Broward County go to bed hungry, wake up hungry, and spend their days hungry,” says John Offerdahl. “This is unacceptable. That’s why my wife, Lynn, and I have launched the Hand-Off food delivery driver campaign.”
The Hand-Off Meals for Seniors program, in partnership with the Area Agency on Aging Broward County, offers seniors fresh, nutritious meals prepared by Offerdahl’s Off-The-Grill and other partnering restaurants. Each meal meets strict dietitian-approved nutritional standards and provides a delicious alternative to traditional frozen and heavily processed meals often provided to seniors.
Volunteer drivers are paired with the same seniors weekly, building lasting bonds and offering friendly check-ins. Drivers are matched with seniors and pick-up locations convenient to their homes on days and times that work best for their individual schedules.
“These visits feed the body and the soul,” added Lynn, who personally delivers meals to two seniors every Tuesday. “Many seniors tell us their volunteer’s visit is the highlight of their week and often the only visitor they see.”
The Hand-Off Origin Story
In 2012, Lynn and John Offerdahl formed the Hand-Off Foundation to support the underserved in a wide variety of areas, from meals for the homebound to seriously ill children. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit was founded on the mission to “feed the needs of those in crisis” by combining food, faith, and friendship to support vulnerable populations across South Florida. Since then, the Foundation’s programs have served more than one million meals across South Florida, partnering with civic, business, and faith organizations.
When COVID rocked our nation, the Offerdahls became government contractors, providing meals and delivery to first responders and Broward County residents in need. Working closely with Heart2Heart, an organization dedicated to serving low-income seniors, the couple discovered this hidden population. When Heart2Heart and the Hand-Off Foundation received a grant to serve meals to seniors from Strike Force, a female-only fundraising group, Lynn got the chance to ride along on one delivery for a retired teacher. During that visit, she met a mother and teenage daughter, who had been delivering meals to this senior for a while. Lynn was struck by the “magical” bond they had all formed. That experience inspired Lynn to support this effort and provide both healthy meals and human connections to seniors in need.
After COVID funds dried up, the Offerdahls applied for the opportunity to be the Broward County provider of meals for seniors. They received the contract and started the Hand-Off Meals for Seniors program. Today they work through the Area Agency for Aging of Broward County to provide weekly meals to seniors, coordinating with other local organizations that assess the needs of each beneficiary and step in when other services are required.
Steps to Become a Volunteer Driver
- Visit handoffmeals.com
- Complete a simple sign-up form (anyone 18 years or older with a driver’s license is eligible)
- Watch for an email to complete a few legal forms (pleasae check spam)
- A volunteer manager will call you within a week to answer any questions, help you download the delivery app, and get you coordinated for your first delivery!
More Facts About the Hand-Off Program
- From food pickup to delivery and a few minutes of social time, the commitment should be about one hour each week.
- Bring friends or family members with you! Spending time together while helping others.
- You will be assigned the same senior every week, so you have a better chance of building a strong bond.
- The organization requests a six-month commitment to give the senior greater comfort and consistency.
- Don’t worry if you have a periodic conflict. They have you covered.
Hand-Off is made possible with support from these partners
Point Publishing, our media sponsor
Grants provided through the Older Americans Act
Community Foundation of Broward
Publix Super Markets Charities
Florida Department of Elder Affairs
Aging and Disability Resource Center of Broward County (ADRC)