The Foundation will Celebrate the Launch and Hold its First Fundraising Event at Golf Cove in North Haven
Feeding Families Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit working to eliminate hospital food insecurity for the parents of hospitalized children suffering from critical illnesses, today announced the launch of its Parent Plate Program (the “Program”) at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, scheduled for early 2024. The Program will start by providing one meal per day to the parent or caregiver staying with their child on the hematology/oncology floor of Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital and, in time, will cover more meals, and more units, for the parent that is staying with their child in the hospital.
“Many people are surprised to learn that food for parents is not provided when staying with their child in the hospital,” said Jeff Dorman, Co-Founder and Chair of Feeding Families Foundation. “My wife and I learned this first-hand when one of our daughters was diagnosed with leukemia. We started this nonprofit based on our experience and to address food insecurity for parents in the hospital, solving both affordability and accessibility issues.”
“Parents are anxious enough when their child is in the hospital, let alone if they need to support them through cancer treatment. They often minimize or overlook their own basic needs. This generous program from the Feeding Families Foundation will have a huge positive impact on their well-being,” said Lynne Sherman, MHA, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, Vice President, Patient Services, Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital.
Two common concerns for parents as it pertains to food in the hospital are affordability and not wanting to leave their child’s bedside to obtain food. While parents may have access to food, that does not mean its affordable.
- Affordability: Whether its $10 a plate or $5, food costs can add up quickly, increasing the financial burden on families already in a tough situation. In addition to medical costs, parents may experience, among other things, lost wages, parking fees, and costs for childcare for other children. Costs of hospital food only magnify the strain on families already reeling from the emotional, physical, and financial toll of having a child in the hospital.
- Accessibility: Parents are reluctant to leave their child’s bedside to obtain food elsewhere in the hospital, whether that be at the cafeteria or meeting a delivery person. They often fear that they would miss a visit from the doctor, or an emergency would happen while they were out of the room. Caregivers want to be physically present with their child to support them and ease any anxiety or stress their child may have about being the hospital.
Feeding Families Foundation’s Parent Plate Program addresses both of these issues by covering the cost of caregiver meals and by having those meals delivered to the hospital room so parents do not need to leave their child’s bedside or spend money on food when their child is inpatient. By partnering with children’s hospitals, the Program utilizes the hospital’s existing food service infrastructure to provide food to parents. When a parent orders a tray for their child, they can also order one for themselves paid for by Feeding Families Foundation. The Program does not require any application or proof of financial need – the goal is to feed caregivers and alleviate some of the financial burden on parents when their child is in the hospital so they can get back to what matters most – caring for their child.
Winter Virtual Golf Classic: Fore! Parents of Hospitalized Children
On Saturday, January 20, 2024, Feeding Families Foundation will hold its first annual “Winter Virtual Golf Classic: Fore! Parents of Hospitalized Children” at Golf Cove in North Haven. Teams of at least 4 players will play 9-hole scramble in a 2-hour time slot. There will be at least 3 time slots to choose from, which will include 2.5 hours of open bar and appetizers for all ticket purchasers. Tickets for golfers are $100 per person. Tickets for supporters, not playing golf, are $65 per person. There are general sponsorship opportunities for businesses, as well as sponsorship opportunities of each golf room which can be decorated by the sponsor. Golf room sponsors will be limited to six total for the day. There will also be a 50/50 raffle, silent auction, and opportunities for recognized stand-alone donations. Some of the items in the silent auction include:
- Two $50 gift cards to Golf Cove in North Haven
- Two round trip tickets from Avelo Airlines, including priority boarding, seat selection, and one checked bag per person
- One night stay at Mohegan Sun and dining at Tuscany Restaurant
- One-night stays with breakfast at The Delamar in West Hartford; The Omni in New Haven
- Gift card for an igloo sphere at Aquila’s Nest Vineyard, voted the #1 winery in Connecticut in 2023
- Two Ray-Ban Sunglasses
- Three 1-month power memberships to Surge Fitness; a 3-month membership to Resilient Training Lab
- Hands-Free Dog Leash and Sling from LifeHandle
- Gift cards to various restaurants including Eli’s Restaurant Group; Pepe’s Pizza in New Haven; Stonebridge in Milford; DQ Grill & Chill in North Haven
- Gift card to Big Y
- Gift card to The Flower Nook in North Haven
- Gift certificate to Elm City Party Bike
- Four tickets to Sea Unicorns game
- Gift card to Xperiment VR in North Haven
To enter the golf tournament or attend the event, please register HERE
The silent auction opened January 1, 2024, and will close January 21, 2024, at 8 pm. To view and bid on the items up for auction, please visit HERE
Beaded Bracelets for Pediatric Cancer from Rumanoff’s Jewelers
Rumanoff’s Jewelers is honored to offer a custom beaded bracelet of which 100% of the proceeds will go to pediatric cancer, including a portion to Feeding Families Foundation. These bracelets will be offered in multiple sizes at $34.99 each and available for purchase in January 2024 on the Rumanoff’s Facebook page, in-store at Rumanoff’s (4133 Whitney Avenue, Hamden), and at the Winter Virtual Golf Classic: Fore! Parents of Hospitalized Children at Golf Cover on January 20, 2024. To order, or for more information, please call Rumanoff’s Jeweler’s at 203.230.1199, or send an email to info@rumanoffs.com.
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Feeding Families Foundation, Inc. is a charitable organization working to eliminate hospital food insecurity for parents of hospitalized children. Feeding Families Foundation’s Parent Plate Program addresses food affordability and accessibility issues parents often face when caring for their child in the hospital by covering the cost of caregiver meals and by having those meals delivered to the room so parents do not need to leave their child’s bedside or spend money on food when their child is inpatient. By partnering with children’s hospitals, the Parent Plate Program utilizes the hospital’s existing food service infrastructure to provide food to parents. When a parent orders a tray for their child, they can also order one for themselves paid for by Feeding Families Foundation. The Program does not require any application or proof of financial need – the goal is to feed caregivers and alleviate some of the financial burden on parents when their child is in the hospital so they can get back to what matters most – caring for their child. For more information, please visit feedingfamiliesfoundation.org.