In celebration of Social Work Month — observed annually in March — social workers of University of Maryland Shore Regional Health have been doing what they do best…helping others!
UM Shore Regional Health social workers are still accepting items for their Healthy Foods and Food Gift Cards Collection. Once collected, food items will be distributed among food banks throughout the five-county region.
According to Patty Plaskon, outpatient oncology social work coordinator, Cancer Program, UM Shore Regional Health, some food items needed by patients on assistance are not approved for purchase with food stamps. Plaskon talked to personnel at local food banks who said they would be delighted to receive and distribute these items as well as more general healthy food items.
As she explains, “The “back story” is that many of our needy patients wind up eating the same “wrong” foods at home despite all of our teaching because that is all they can get at the food banks. So, we are not only trying to encourage the food banks to enhance the quality of their stock, but also coaching patients that they need to identify themselves as on special diets so they can be their own advocate.”
The following items are being requested for special dietary needs:
- Low sodium products (soups, chili, canned vegetables, etc…)
- Low sugar and sugar-free products (jello, jam, canned fruit, pancake syrup, etc…)
- Whole grain products (cereal, granola bars, pasta, etc…)
- Low carb/high protein/reduced fat items (peanut better, tuna, salad dressing, etc…)
- Nutritional drinks such as Boost®, Ensure®, Glucerna® and Carnation® Breakfast Essentials
Collection boxes will be available in UM SRH facilities throughout the five county region. Specific information about box locations may be obtained as follows:
- UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown, UM Shore Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Chester River Home Care and Shore Home Care — call Sarah Hopkins, ext. 2965 or Alexa Jester, ext. 2915
- UM Shore Medical Center at Dorchester and Behavioral Health — call Kim Fogle, ext. 5044 or Alice Ofano, ext. 2967
- UM Shore Medical at Easton — call Lise Robertson, ext. 5404
- Diagnostic & Imaging Center/Clark Comprehensive Breast Center, Cancer Center, Outpatient Rehab, UM Shore Medical Pavilions (Cadmus Lane, I & II) – call Patty Plaskon, ext. 5361
- UM Shore Emergency Center at Queenstown – call Jennifer Buckler, ext. 2257
- Denton Diagnostic Center – call Angela Meekins, ext. 5512
For team member convenience, gift cards are also being accepted, which will be used to purchase healthy foods.