News and updates from Heartlinks • Volume 28 • April 2023 |
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Martha's Cupboard Provides Hygiene Kits to Hospice Patients in Need |
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Caring for a loved one can put financial stress on a family. Although hospice and palliative care medical costs and supplies are covered through Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance, daily expenses such as food and personal hygiene supplies can add up, especially if the full-time caregiver is not able to work.
Heartlinks Medical Social Worker Esmeralda Lopez recently connected with Martha’s Cupboard, a ministry of Central Church in Richland, to pick up a donation of hygiene supplies for her 99-year-old hospice patient suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer.
“After conversing with the patient’s daughter-in-law, who is the primary caretaker, about my role for support and resources, we discussed the patient’s home situation and realized they are on a limited income,” says Esmeralda.
Esmeralda says her role as an MSW is to look at the resources and support systems in place for each patient, using a whole-family approach.
“If a family or the caretaker is struggling it will directly impact the care of our patient,” she says. “These kits relieve a small burden from their financial load as well as provide them with a resource.”
Julie McDonald is one of the leaders of Martha’s Cupboard. She says the ministry has served the Tri-Cities since 2002 primarily working with other agencies that serve people in need of basic personal care items, cleaning supplies and other necessities that cannot be obtained any other way. Julie says food stamps do not cover the cost of these needs, so they become difficult to obtain when the family is in a critical situation, such as caring for a loved one with a terminal illness.
Martha’s Cupboard collects household items and builds small and large hygiene kits including all-purpose cleaners, bar soap, body lotion, deodorant, dish soap, tissues, laundry detergent, paper towels, shampoo, conditioner, toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrushes and feminine hygiene products. Each large kit provides enough for a family of four for one month.
“All credit goes to Martha’s Cupboard and their volunteers,” says Esmeralda, “Because of their commitment to community service we are also able to meet these additional needs. I have this extra resource in my tool kit. I can share with patients and families that there are resources available if needed, and if they are open to it, we can tap into them.”
Esmeralda says this patient’s family expressed gratitude for the hygiene kit, saying, “Anything is a huge help.”
Martha’s cupboard distributes 4,000 to 5,000 hygiene kits each year. Julie says the volunteers at Martha’s Cupboard are serving Christ and being Christ-like while they receive donations, package kits and distribute them, usually from 10 a.m. to Noon on Wednesdays.
“Those two hours are life-giving and life-receiving,” she says. “God is making it all happen.”
If you wish to donate personal care products or money to this community resource you may drop them off during church business hours or mail a check with “Martha’s Cupboard” in the memo to Central Church, Attn: Martha’s Cupboard, 1124 Steven’s Drive, Richland, WA 99354. You may also donate by sending items directly through the Martha's Cupboard Amazon Wishlist.
For more information about Martha’s Cupboard, call Central Church at 509-943-1143.
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Top and Above: Volunteers assemble hygiene kits for Martha's Cupboard at Central Church in Richland.
Photos by Julie McDonald
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A large hygiene kit provides personal care and cleaning for a family of four for one month.
Photo by Esmeralda Lopez
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To volunteer with or donate to Martha's Cupboard, call 509-943-1143.
Photo by Julie McDonald
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Save the Date for the 7th Annual Spring Celebration at the Winemaker's Loft
Presented by Custom Bottling and Filtering
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This event raises a glass in a big way to all things Prosser Wine Country while giving back to Heartlinks.
With your donation of $10 or more, you will receive a commemorative wine glass, and a complimentary wine flight at both wineries while enjoying two live music performances!
Both wineries will donate 10% of their April 22 proceeds to Heartlinks.
The Spring Celebration promises to be a fun way to spend the day, sipping for a great cause. We hope to see you there!
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228 Meals To Remember Sold, $1,805 Raised for Hospice Patients and Families |
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Thanks to you, all of Heartlinks' current hospice patients and their families enjoyed a delicious, creamy Gouda Macaroni & Cheese topped with Apple and Cherry Wood Smoked Pulled Pork meal.
You purchased 133 meals and 68 pans of brownies for yourselves and donated an additional 95 Meals to Remember to hospice patients and their families. You helped raise $1,805! This is 34% more meals than you purchased last year. The team at Heartlinks is grateful for your support!
A generous portion of each purchase went directly to support hospice patients and families. You made our goal of fostering quality time between our patients and their families a reality!
Thank you!
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Diana Pacheco, administrative assistant, and Madison Thomas, administrative director, prepare to distribute meals at the Grandview Heartlinks office. |
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Mariah Conduff, social services supervisor, poses with the Castle Event Catering van before delivering meals to those who requested delivery to their home or office. |
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You Are the Heart of Heartlinks |
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The Heartlinks community is made up of an amazing group of supporters, volunteers and employees. We will spend time this year highlighting several of the wonderful people who make Heartlinks what it is.
This month, we thank Lynette, HOBS volunteer in Prosser, and Joan, Heartlinks' grief support specialist, for giving their time and talent to helping Heartlinks' patients and families.
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APRIL IS NATIONAL VOLUNTEER MONTH!
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Yakima County Commissioners Award $60,000 to Heartlinks through the Yakima County ARPA |
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Every death leaves approximately nine bereaved. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, those dealing with the loss of loved ones need more support than ever to find healing.
Heartlinks will use the $60,000 awarded by the Board of Yakima County commissioners through the Yakima County American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) to make no-cost grief support services more available to the community.
The ARPA was signed into law on March 11, 2021, and included $65.1 billion in direct aid to all counties in the United States. Yakima County was allocated ARPA funds totaling approximately $48.8 million to aid in the COVID-19 pandemic response and economic recovery.
Heartlinks will use the ARPA funds to increase family recovery through grief support services.
"We are prepared to offer expanded grief programming to support mental health services throughout the Yakima community," says Shelby Moore, Heartlinks executive director. "It is challenging to work through grief and move forward with life after losing someone we love. Heartlinks seeks to build a robust grief support program to meet the needs of the Yakima county area that is still impacted by COVID-19."
Heartlinks currently hosts five free grief support groups throughout Benton and Yakima counties with plans to add groups where needed. Individual grief counseling and family support services are also available at no cost to those who take advantage of this highly-valuable service, whether or not your loved one was served by Heartlinks.
Our grief support team also writes a free bereavement email newsletter you may subscribe to by clicking the button below.
If you are struggling with grief from the loss of a loved one, contact Heartlinks at 509-837-1676.
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Tri-City Regional Chamber Chooses Heartlinks for Non-Profit On A Roll Award |
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On March 22, the Heartlinks team accepted the Non-Profit on a Roll Award at the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon.
New for 2023, the Non-Profit on a Roll Award recognizes a non-profit organization that achieved great success during 2022 while positively impacting the community. We can't wait to see what organization will deserve this honor next year!
“It is our heartfelt honor to have received this award," says Shelby Moore, executive director. "Our Tri-Cities community has always supported our work and we are so privileged to serve this great community."
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The Heartlinks team accepts the award for Nonprofit on a Roll at the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce Awards Luncheon on March 22.
From Left: Ken Wright, RN case manager; Mercedes Yanez, executive/HR assistant; Shelbey Sawyer, development manager; Madison Thomas, administrative director; Lisa Sheeley, RN case manager; Robert Demsey, RN case manager; Christa Miller, referral and intake nurse; Shelby Moore, executive director.
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HOBS Celebrates 25 Years in Prosser |
Thank you to all who shopped at HOBS in Prosser on February 28 to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
Shop employees and volunteers recorded 148 transactions, selling more than $3,500 in products, most at 25% or 50% off regular retail price. The winners of a $25 HOBS gift card were Norma Lemos and Mary Miranda. Sydney Pelletier won the grand prize gift basket.
HOBS in Prosser was founded in 1998 by Jan Nilsson in memory of her mother-in-law, Anne O. Witcraft. Nilsson was and continues to be a passionate advocate for hospice.
A second HOBS thrift shop opened in Zillah in 2021. Both HOBS shops have ensured that quality hospice and palliative care can be provided to any patient and family, regardless of their financial circumstances.
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Top: HOBS Prosser staff and volunteers party like it's 1998 at the 25th Anniversary Celebration on February 28.
Above: The shop was decorated for the occasion and shoppers enjoyed cookies, prizes and 25% off everything in the store.
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Jan Nilsson, the founder of HOBS, visited the shop's 25th Anniversary Celebration. |
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Lynette Howell, left, was honored for 22 years of volunteer service at HOBS Prosser. Shop manager Kim Dierks presented her a certificate at the anniversary celebration. |
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The mission of Heartlinks is to enrich the quality of life for individuals and their families in need of comprehensive end-of-life care. Founded in 1978, our local, independent nonprofit has provided thousands of patients and their families with physical, emotional, and spiritual support throughout the journey from a life-threatening diagnosis through death and bereavement.
Every gift to Heartlinks comes with a story. Please consider sharing your story with us.
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Call: 509-837-1676
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
On-Call Nurse Available 24/7
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Visit/Mail:
204 W. 2nd Street
Grandview, WA 98930
Visit:
1955 Jadwin Ave. Suite #355
Richland, WA 99354
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