The “wish list” for the HIV/AIDS Program would be to have the ability to buy as many food cards and personal care items as our clients need. Clients currently have access to one $30 food card a month. With more than 90 clients, the need is great! In today’s economy $30, as you well know, does not go far.
A few years ago the program received a donation of $100 from Father Seavey. We decided the best way to make sure it went to good use was to ask a client what she thought. The client said, “Lori you will laugh at me if I tell you…” Once I assured her this would not happen, she said “…we really need toilet paper”. The full $100 was used to purchase toilet paper for the clients. It was at this point that I started the personal care shelves, a pantry so to speak, to help clients in need of personal care items. Our “pantry” has grown and so has the number of clients accessing it. We try to have the following items available: toilet paper, soap, shaving cream, razors, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, denture tablets and adhesive, tissues, paper towels, detergent, bleach and other cleaning supplies. We are the only program in Maine that has made these items available to their clients. Client satisfaction is extremely important to us. We often hear, “Thank God you have these things….don’t know how we would make it without the help of your program. Some days it’s hard enough to take care of myself and get enough food to eat, never mind these supplies that I really need too”. As was the mission for St. Marguerite d’ Youville those many years ago, it is still our mission today…….to serve those in need.
Contributions made through St. Mary’s Hearts United Employee Campaign as well as donations of any kind are most helpful as we continue to try to meet our client needs and to help them maintain a good and safe quality of life.
Lori Jacques, RN, CCM
Case Management Department
Our employees give generously to this program through our annual Hearts United campaign, but the need is still great. To make a contribution, click here.
Tags: aids program, employee campaign, food cards, hiv aids, HIV/AIDS program, pantry, personal care items, personal care shelves, St. Mary's, St. Mary's Regional Medical Center
