People First: The Enduring Mission Driving God's Love We Deliver

For nearly 40 years, God’s Love We Deliver has served as a burning core for New York residents. The non-profit organization is nothing short of impressive; the staff at God’s Love has managed to cook millions of medically tailored meals and deliver them to residents unable to provide for themselves, all for free. David Ludwigson, the current President and Chief Executive Officer of God’s Love, has made it clear that it has always been people first. 

Before Ludwigson joined God’s Love, he worked in marketing at Ford Motor Company, before turning to volunteering as his main passion. Inspired to help people with HIV, Ludwigson began his experience at God’s Love in the kitchen after discovering them in the ‘Evening Hour’ section of the New York Times. Since then, he has worked with the organization for nearly 30 years, stating, “If you can get people in and give them a good experience, you can make a friend for life, and that happens at God’s Love a lot.”

During Ludwigson’s time at God’s Love, fundraising has risen to more than $10 million annually, and the number of volunteers and meals cooked also expanded exponentially. Ludwigson credits this success to their staff and the spread of their unique services in New York City. 

Raising money has always been a challenge for God’s Love, as they are mostly involved with private philanthropy rather than government. When overcoming these obstacles, Ludwigson says, “You have to have staff.” He also notes the importance of a consistent and distinctive identity of God’s Love, which his previous marketing background has helped him develop.

Through the efforts of God’s Love’s growing staff and identity, God’s Love We Deliver’s growth was organic; as they began to serve almost every neighborhood in the city, they gradually began to gain the attention of many. Commenting on what encourages people to get involved with the organization, Ludwigson points to three important elements: “If you want to volunteer, we need your help. If you want a great place to make a donation, I call it an investment. Come to God’s Love to Deliver. It is a very safe place to make an investment. [And] if you know someone who can benefit from our services, tell them about it.”

Another important role Ludwigson plays in God’s Love is helping execute events that raise awareness and coverage for the non-sectarian organization’s services. Some of the events they’ve held in the past include the Golden Hearts Gala, the New York Wine and Food Festival, and Love Rocks NYC. Ludwigson noted that God’s Love always tries to have something “fun and entertaining” at every event. Last year, Sam Smith performed at the Golden Hearts gala, furthering the charity’s unique charm and personality. 

Amongst all the events God’s Love has championed, Ludwigson says that the CowParade of 2021 has remained one of the most rewarding, but “the most moving, the most memorable, and the most touching” things have always been when it involves a client or a volunteer.