Former Miami Dolphins linebacker helps South Florida seniors

The average South Floridian probably knows Offerdahl’s Off The Grill as a nice, casual, healthy restaurant owned by former Miami Dolphins linebacker John Offerdahl. What you might not know is what he does with it outside of business hours. What started as a favor to Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, who asked his restaurant-owning alumni to help feed people during the COVID-19 pandemic, turned into something bigger.

“If you think about it, like, that’s what a team does — it unites during tough times,” Offerdahl told CBS News Miami. “It finds its resources. It extends itself out into the community.”

But Offerdahl didn’t want it to stop there, so Hand Off Meals for Seniors was born: A program with volunteers hand-delivering meals to the hundreds of homebound seniors in Broward County. The program is a part of Offerdahl’s Hand Off Foundation, which, since its inception in 2012, has served more than 1 million meals across South Florida by partnering with civic, business and faith organizations.

“I can only speak for myself when I say, thank you,” said recipient Barbara “BJ” Mundy.

Volunteer Ellen Crane said of Mundy: “Oh, this woman is just a bright light.”

Mundy adds: “Nice to be able to sit in the kitchen, open the door and here comes Ellen, the volunteer who brings my food once a week,” Mundy said. “It’s just a joy. “

Florida ranks second in the United States for the highest percentage of residents age 65 or older, according to the Administration for Community Living’s 2023 Profile of Older Americans.

According to the Community Foundation of Broward’s “Silver Tsunami” report, Broward County has the state’s fastest-growing population of seniors and many of these residents live at or near the poverty level, unable to access healthy foods and often suffering from debilitating loneliness.

To learn more about the program and sign up for volunteer work, visit handoffmeals.com.

This report was produced by Miami Herald news partner CBS News Miami.