ALTON – During cancer treatment, you shouldn’t have to worry about where you and your family’s next meal is coming from, and certainly not a Thanksgiving dinner, said Jill Pruitt, OPN-CG, LPN, Certified Oncology Navigator at OSF Moeller Cancer Center in Alton (2200 Central Avenue).
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That’s the simple thought that motivated the OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center Oncology Department in August to create “The Caring Pantry,” a small, grocery-style set up at OSF Moeller Cancer Center. The Caring Pantry is supported by donations from the community and Mission Partners at OSF Saint Anthony’s.
“When our patients would come into the infusion center for treatments, we have snacks and drinks available, we offer hospital lunch, but more and more, we kept finding patients were asking to take extra snacks home for later, extra food so they’d have something to eat,” Pruitt says. This Thanksgiving marked The Caring Pantry’s second annual dinner donation, and 25 patients received all the food necessary to make a traditional Thanksgiving feast: turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, stuffing, a roasting pan and more.
Often, patients are unable to work while receiving treatment, waiting for disability approval or have no other resources, Pruitt says. “The Caring Pantry really helps those in need. We had one recipient, who couldn’t work while completing treatment. But after they went back to work, they returned with a large donation for the others as a gesture of her appreciation.”
The Caring Pantry is currently soliciting donations every day, including:
- Non-perishable food items
- Protein (canned tuna, chicken, peanut butter, beef sticks)
- Gloves, hats, socks and coats
- Laundry detergent, fabric softener, disinfectant and dish soap
To donate, contact Pruitt at jill.c.pruitt@osfhealthcare.org.
Learn more about the oncology services at OSF Moeller Cancer Center by visiting www.osfsaintanthonys.org.
AboutOSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center: A 49-bed Rural Health designated acute care hospital in Alton, Illinois, OSF Saint Anthony’s serves the residents of Madison, Jersey and Macoupin counties. It is home to OSF Moeller Cancer Center, which provides the latest diagnostic tools and treatment for patients in a relaxing environment. OSF Saint Anthony’s also provides 24-hour access to a physician-staffed emergency department, in addition to cardiovascular, neurology, pulmonology, surgical, rehabilitation services and more. OSF Saint Anthony’s is fully accredited by the Joint Commission for Healthcare Facilities, American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer, American College of Radiology, American Heart Association, IDPH and TJC Primary Stroke Center. OSF Saint Anthony’s is part of OSF HealthCare – an integrated health system with 17 hospitals in Illinois and Michigan and robust Innovation and Digital Health divisions that provide access to specialty care and remote monitoring, helping people receive the care they need close to home. OSF HealthCare is operated by The Sisters of the Third Order of Saint Francis.
OSF HealthCare is an integrated health system founded by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. Headquartered in Peoria, Illinois, OSF has 17 hospitals – 11 acute care, five critical access and one continuing care – with 2,305 licensed beds throughout Illinois and Michigan. OSF employs over 27,000 Mission Partners across more than 170 locations. These include OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois, the third largest pediatric hospital in the state, and OSF OnCall, its digital health operating entity that offers hospital-at-home care. Advances in health care transformation take place through OSF Innovation as well as OSF Ventures, which provides investment capital for promising health care innovation startups. In addition, OSF operates two colleges of nursing; OSF Home Care Services, an extensive network of home health and hospice services; Pointcore, Inc., which is composed of health care-related businesses; and OSF HealthCare Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the organization. OSF HealthCare has been recognized by Fortune as one of the most innovative companies in the country and by Forbes as one of America’s Best Employers for Healthcare Professionals. Learn more at osfhealthcare.org.
