If you're here, thank you. Annie's brain surgery is tomorrow. While the surgery itself is only one day, her recovery will take months. During the weeks ahead, our goal is simple: to make everyday life a little easier for Annie and Nick so they can focus on healing. This page is where we'll coordinate meals, grocery deliveries, gift cards, and other practical support throughout her recovery. Whether you cook a favorite meal, send dinner, contribute a gift card, help with groceries, or simply share a kind note, every gesture helps lighten the load. Thank you for being part of Annie's village. How to Help: Helping is easy! Scroll down to the Care Calendar below. Click "I'll Help" next to the date or item you'd like to sign up for. Enter what you'll be bringing (meal, grocery delivery, gift card, or other support) and complete the sign-up process. You may be asked to create a free Give InKind account. Follow the delivery instructions for your selected item. If you don't see a date that works for you, or if you'd like to help in another way, please reach out to me directly. We'd love your support whenever it works for you. Before You Sign Up: The greatest gift we can give Annie is rest. To help protect her recovery, we've organized deliveries to be as quiet and simple as possible. Rohnert Park Deliveries: A cooler will be outside Annie and Nick's home for contact-free drop-off. Please place your meal or groceries in the cooler. Please do not knock, ring the doorbell, or text Annie during your delivery. Recovery from brain surgery requires significant rest, and we'd love to minimize interruptions so she can focus on healing. Bay Area Friends: If you're in Berkeley or elsewhere in the Bay Area and the drive to Rohnert Park isn't practical, we've got you covered. There will also be a cooler at my home in Berkeley. I'll make regular trips to Rohnert Park to deliver meals and groceries, helping keep Annie and Nick stocked throughout her recovery. Questions? Please contact the organizer rather than Annie so she can stay focused on healing.
Meals are for both Annie and Nick. Nick will be Annie's primary caregiver throughout her recovery, and helping keep them both nourished is one meaningful way we can lighten the load. Annie is expected to return home on August 22. During her first week home, she'll likely be on a soft-food diet and may have difficulty chewing. If you're signing up during that first week, soups, broths, stews, smoothies, mashed vegetables, soft casseroles, and other easy-to-eat meals are especially appreciated. As Annie's recovery progresses, she'll gradually be able to enjoy a wider variety of foods. Annie Loves: 🦐 Shrimp (especially scampi, Cajun, fajitas...really anything shrimp!) 🍲 Soups and stews 🍛 Curries 🥣 Rice or quinoa bowls 🥢 Asian cuisine 🍝 Italian food 🍠 Sweet potatoes and roasted potatoes 🍗 Chicken 🥩 Beef 🦃 Turkey 🐑 Lamb 🥬 Fresh vegetables 🌿 Homemade meals made with whole, simple ingredients Annie enjoys flavors from every culture. Please Avoid: Horseradish Wasabi Crimini mushrooms Portabella mushrooms Helpful Tips Disposable or recyclable containers are appreciated. Label homemade meals with the date, ingredients, and simple reheating instructions. Freezer-friendly meals are always welcome. Meals that provide leftovers for the next day are a wonderful bonus. Restaurant delivery and gift cards are always appreciated if cooking isn't practical. Suggested Gift Cards: DoorDash Uber Eats Instacart Trader Joe's Whole Foods Target Local Rohnert Park and Santa Rosa restaurants