Following a Long Summer, IHS Friends are Back to Assist

The Group that initiated the IHS Meal Packet Program Thomas  Jefferson Memorial Church, Unitarian Universalist (TJM-UU) of Charlottesville, Virginia prepares for another year of assisting the IHS Meal Packet Program. On Sunday August 19 the Church dedicated their monthly "Social Action Collection" to collect funds that will allow them to buy foods and supplies that will be turned into meal packets for the people we serve. Margaret Gorman speaks to TJM UU Church Congregation responds Church member and IHS Board member Margaret Gorman spoke to the congregation during morning worship service, and they responded generously. The church now has $2,131.00 to apply toward meal packets supplies. This should provide about 300-350 full-day meal packets; perhaps more if church shoppers  are able to find special sale prices for the items that they need. The church children, youth, and adults will all have opportunities to assemble meal packets and create the greeting cards that are enclosed for recipients. What Began in June 2009 is only growing Rain or shine, summer or winter, 200-250 full-day meal packets are delivered monthly to the Office of Social Work at UVA Medical Center for access by social workers to provide to long distance caregivers (mostly indigent situations), seeking to exist on minimum nutritional needs while supporting a loved one in the hospital. The TJM UU Church has been the anchor group for  sustaining  the program, as other church classes, scouts, schools, and families pitch in annually with assembling  parties to fulfill this vital need. Listen to Margaret's Presentation to the Church via the link below Click Microphone 16 people with Division 5A, Capital District of Key Club made a difference Key Club Group Responded Quickly in August IHS received an e-mail from Danielle Horridge, Key Club International, Capital District Lieutenant Governor, on the evening of August 11.  Danielle announced that Division 5A of the Capital District of Key Club will have 16 participants (11 Key Clubbers from Albemarle HS, Charlottesville HS, Fluvanna County HS, Monticello HS, and Western Albemarle HS as well as 5 members of the Charlottesville Kiwanis Club) at their President's Council Meeting/ Service Project on August 12. After the meeting the group was to make 50 meal packets from items donated by the members as well as Kroger. Her only question:  "Where do I deliver?" From First Notice to Delivery in 12 hours ... What a Pleasant Surprise Danielle Horridge delivers a trunk load of meals Danielle arrived at the IHS Office at Crofton Plaza at Lake Monticello Sunday afternoon right on schedule.  She delivered 52 full-day meal packets, each with a very personal note enclosed. In addition there were some extra items for IHS stocking supplies for making further packets. Danielle said that she had been in contact with Margaret Gorman, and learned of the IHS Program from members of the Western Albemarle High School Key Club. That group bought, assembled, boxed and provided meal packets earlier in the year. Danielle explained that her division does not personally have a website, but the district does. The link is http://www.capitalkeyclub.org   Thanks to everyone who participated in the event. That's enough meals for a week and will feed fifty people with so very few funds to sustain while waiting in the UVA Medical Center. An Important Reminder There are two parts to the IHS Food Program which serves patients and families so far from home.  These visitors are either in out-patient treatment and staying in UVA Hospitality House (which is supplied by IHS with food for guests every other week) or they are family caregivers, mostly parents staying with their children in Pediatrics for weeks, even months, as a child waits for a transplant or is fighting for life from an accident or disease.  The list is long for why someone has traveled to this healthcare center, but the need is absolute and often the only place for the indigent population of Virginia. Not eating should never be a part of the suffering which is already occupying someone's life. How Easy to make a difference in the lives of so many If  your church group, club, troop or civic organization is looking for an easy, important and fun volunteer project, or if you and some friends would like to get together to do an activity that has an impact on other people's lives, please look at the "Food Program" section of the IHS website for instructions on how to create meal packets, or how to donate funds designated for the charity to make meals.  What a terrific opportunity to be involved with children in shopping, selecting, making personal notes and filling gallon size plastic bags with a full day's nutrition, and teaching generosity all at the same time.  Click on the above hyperlink for details... Blessings ... T. Wade