Thanks to December Meal Makers & the Response from a UVA Social Worker

December 5th - This was pickup day for 110 full-day meal packets made during November at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church Unitarian Universalist (TJMC UU). Leia Durland-Jones reported that the 1st-5th grade religious education classes were exploring, along with the congregation, the theme of FAMILY. Leia said, "We know that we are all part of the human family and that it is important to help one another." She added, "Both the children and their religious education teachers enjoyed making the packets and the notes and cards that go inside each packet." December 12th - For the second year, the Cheng family of Charlottesville made it a holiday project to collect and make 25 full-day meal packets over several months, and then deliver them to the IHS Office at 105 Crofton Plaza at Lake Monticello in the Palmyra area along with a generous check for extra needs. Thanks to Elaine and David Cheng and their children, Alex (age 7) and Kate (age 4) for their continuing support. December 18th - This is also the second year that Boy Scout Troop 36 has gathered for an overnight lock-in party, and produced full-day meal packets. Don Kimpel helped the scouts organize the event, which took place last weekend. IHS is picking up those 50 full-day meal packets as this notice is being released to friends of the charity. To Lend some Perspective to what these donations mean to the Food Program From the last week in November - December 18th, IHS will have delivered a total of 312 full-day meal packets to the Office of Social Work. December is proving to be the most active month for consumption. All social workers have access to the Social Work cabinet when a meal is needed by those in the hospital as caregivers or a family member, and are without adequate funds to eat.   As you can readily see, the above groups provided 185 meals, which has allowed more funds to remain in the IHS Food Account for making up the balance for purchases needed monthly. It is apparent that the monthly need will continue to average from 250-300 meals monthly. An Important Note from a Social Worker which was received this past week The following e-mail from Social Worker Elaine Finley in Pediatrics was received by Teresa Bevins, clinical social worker and monitor of the IHS Meal Program in the Office of Social Work. She asked that Teresa copy her e-mail to IHS, and we are sharing it with Elaine's permission, so that friends of the charity will understand just one arena in the hospital where meals make a difference: " Hi Teresa,      Please let IHS know that the cafeteria is expensive. The only full meal (entree, side & drink) families can get for under 5 dollars is breakfast.  In the Children's Hospital our families come from all over the state due to our specialty care. Children with cancer, heart disease, CF, GI & feeding problems, and prematurity, in particular, come from far and wide to receive the best care possible for their children.      Many bring their own food, or have extended family members bring them groceries to keep in the child's room. Our families have other children and responsibilities at home ... bills to pay, the high cost of gasoline for their trips back and forth, et cetera. It is wonderful that we can meet a basic need by providing the meal bags so generously sent to us by IHS.         I think it is fine to keep track of general trends on the floors. Social Workers do not have time to track individuals, which would not be appropriate due to HIPPA and need to know. If a family asks for help with a meal, we can believe that they are hungry and unable to cope with going to the cafeteria for a meal - for whatever reason. We need to be mindful that families are in crisis, stressed, focused on their sick child, and may have been caught off guard or unprepared for a hospitalization. It is embarrassing for many to ask for help.        The meal bags are a God send to our families. I hope they will continue to be available as the needs of our patients continue to ebb and flow.     The Hem Onc (Hematology Oncology) families rarely use meal bags as we have other resources for our families. However, many have received a meal bag by the ED (Emergency Department) Social Worker or night nurses on the wards for an unexpected admission after hours or weekends. My families are always truly grateful for this wonderful gift. Thank you for your work with IHS for our families."              Elaine Finley, MSW, Social Worker, Pediatric Hematology Oncology So - Now you know - what a difference each family, group, church or business can make. Please review the IHS Food Program, via this link. It's really very easy to shop over the months, and allow each visit to the grocery store to be one more chance to collect a few food items. THEN - when you have whatever your objective is for delivery or pickup in the Charlottesville area, give us a call or send an e-mail to info@interfaithhumanitariansanctum.org. In closing, Elaine Finley heard about the annual project by the Cheng family, which is mentioned above, and said,      "I love the project Elaine Cheng's family does to complete 25 full-day ziplock bags. I will talk to my own family and friends about doing something like this a few times a year. Such a simple thing to do, but I never thought of it. Have a Merry and Blessed Christmas."                                                                                                                       Elaine Yes indeed ... as Elaine said: It is such a simple thing to do. Your participation in the year ahead is indeed appreciated. Sincerely ... T. Wade Clegg III