Northern Light Home Care and Hospice is asking for your support to help patients who are experiencing food insecurity this season. Home Care and Hospice clinicians are able to see first-hand the hunger patients face and the need is greater than ever.
Throughout the year, Home Care and Hospice maintains food pantries at their five office locations across the state supplied by Good Shepherd Food Bank, Home Care and Hospice staff, and various other local supporters and farmers.
Clinicians are able to bring food directly into the homes of patients, which is critical as some patients are bed bound or have transportation issues that limit access to food.
In addition to the Presque Isle office, Home Care and Hospice operates sites in Brewer, Ellsworth, Waterville and South Portland.
For more than 20 years, Home Care and Hospice has held their annual Thanksgiving meal program. Staff coordinate the purchase of food, package the meals, and clinicians hand-deliver complete Thanksgiving meals to patients, their caregivers and family members.
Meals can be requested through their clinician. The Thanksgiving meal is offered to all patients regardless of income.
Last year, more than 200 patients received meals, in addition to those provided to their caregivers and family members. This year, Home Care and Hospice expects this number will be greater.
Those who wish to help can make a monetary donation to support the meal program and food pantries, or purchase a food item by visiting give.northernlighthealth.org/HCHFoodInsecurity.
Food items purchased through the wish list will be directly shipped to Home Care and Hospice and hand-delivered to patients in need throughout the year. Funds donated will also be used to support the Home Care and Hospice Thanksgiving Meal Program as well as their food pantries.
“We know that nutrition helps patients have better healing outcomes from a recent surgery or a chronic condition. Worrying about where their next meal is coming from should not be one of their concerns. At Northern Light Home Care and Hospice, we are committed to not only providing compassionate, skilled care to our patients but to helping them with food insecurity,” said LeighAnn Howard, DNP, MSN, RN, CHFN, vice president of clinical operations at Northern Light Home Care and Hospice.
“Please consider supporting our Food Insecurity Program. Together, we can make healthier communities one patient at a time,” she said.
To learn more about services offered at Northern Light Home Care and Hospice, please check out northernlighthealth.org/Homecare-Hospice or follow at Facebook.com/NorthernLightHomeCareHospice.
