Local nonprofit Meals with a Friend offers food and fellowship

MARINETTE – Meals with a Friend is changing the way community support works one meal at a time by connecting local volunteers with neighbors in need.

Founded in 2025, Meals with a Friend is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving those who are experiencing loneliness and isolation or are just looking for more meaningful social interaction in their day-to-day life. This organization works to provide clients with freshly prepared meals as well as volunteers who keep them company while they enjoy their food.
“Deep down, everyone needs to be listened to, and we want to give them our presence and time,” said Meals with a Friend founder and Marinette local Chad Francour.

Meals with a Friend is open to all people, regardless of age, income level or medical status. Anyone who is experiencing limited social interaction or would simply enjoy the comfort of sharing a meal with another person is greatly encouraged to participate and take advantage of this opportunity.

Francour explained that the idea for this organization came about for a multitude of reasons.

When he was 16, Francour suffered from a severe brain injury, which completely altered his life. The recovery was and is still incredibly difficult, and because of it, there was a time in his life where he experienced intense pain and isolation — something he said that he did not want anyone else to have to go through alone.

However, after recuperating from this injury, Francour went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in psychology and human development, learning how socialization impacts people’s health.

As part of his studying, he interned in hospice care, which he said was a truly transformational experience for him. He was able to provide support for those alone and in need, an experience he found to be very rewarding.

When his grandfather passed away two years ago, Francour and his father helped take care of his grandmother. He found that the simple act of eating with her every day made a huge impact on her.

“We need to value people, we need to be present — a simple act of kindness can have a ripple effect on their lives,” Francour said.

Currently, Meals with a Friend serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers weekly, bi-weekly or monthly visits. Additionally, the nonprofit offers a variety of programs that offer different meal experiences, including a six-week Connection Program, a 12-week Connection & Wellness Program and an 18-week Long-Term Companionship Program.

Meal visits typically follow a common schedule. Before eating, there is a check-in with the client to see how they are doing. During the meal, there is guided conversation between the client and the volunteer focused on reducing isolation. Activities can also accompany the meal, such as working on a puzzle, playing cards or even light housekeeping. Visits end with reflection, support and discussion of the client’s future goals.

The organization assesses its clients before and after each visit to better understand changes in their emotional well-being and mental health.

As a nonprofit organization, Meals with a Friend is always looking for support from the local community and donations are greatly appreciated. They recently had a successful brat fry where they were able to host a fun event for the community while also raising money to help support their operation.

Additionally, volunteers are always needed, and Francour is currently looking for help managing the website donations page. For more information on Meals with a Friend, visit https://mealswithafriend.org or find the nonprofit on Facebook.

Pass It Forward™ editorial is sponsored by Packers Give Back, Nicolet National Bank and the National Trust for Local News.