HSHS Home Care Invites Community to Cram the Car

In recognition of February being National Canned Food Month, HSHS Home Care is holding their annual “Cram the Car” food drive this month for local organizations to help those struggling with food insecurity. 

“Cram the Car inspires me every year when I see how our neighbors, friends and colleagues come together to care for the community,” said Valerie Engelbart, Volunteer/Bereavement Services Supervisor for HSHS Home Care. “It’s a privilege to deliver their generous donations. Let’s see how many cars we can fill!”

HSHS Home Care is partnering with HSHS hospitals in Southern Illinois to invite community members to donate the following requested Items or monetary contributions on these dates:

HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland – Tuesday, March 4, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Needed Items: “Sweet” nonperishable food items and “sweet-smelling” hygiene products. These might include granola bars, pancake syrup, cereal, cookie packs, brownie mix, canned fruit, bar or hand soap (with pump), toothpaste or deodorant.
• Benefitting: Highland Area Christian Services Ministry (HACSM) food pantry.
• Drop-off Location: An HSHS Home Care car will be parked in the HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital circle drive near the main entrance.

•    HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese – Wednesday, March 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Needed Items: Nonperishable food items such as boxed meals (Hamburger Helper, Rice-a-Roni), pancake mix and syrup, jelly, canned fruit and vegetables, pasta sauce, cereal, granola or oatmeal.
• Benefitting: BCMW Community Services food pantry, Breese location.
• Drop-off Location: An HSHS Home Care car will be parked near the Healing Garden gazebo in the specialty clinic lot at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital.

HSHS Holy Family Hospital in Greenville – Thursday, March 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Needed Items: Prepackaged food, preferably easy to open and prepare, individual-serving items such as pudding and applesauce cups, cereal and granola bars, meat sticks, trail mix, mac and cheese cups, microwavable soup cups, Vienna sausages, individual chicken and tune salad, juice boxes and mini water bottles.
• Benefitting: Bond County Weekend Backpack Program.
• Drop-off Location: An HSHS Home Care car will be parked in the circle drive by HSHS Holy Family Hospital’s main entrance.

HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon – Friday, March 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Needed Items: Nonperishable food items such as boxed meals (Hamburger Helper, Rice-a-Roni), pancake mix and syrup, jelly, canned fruit and vegetables, pasta sauce, cereal, granola or oatmeal.
• Benefitting: Catholic Urban Program food pantry.
• Drop-off Location: An HSHS Home Care car will be parked outside the main hospital entrance of HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.

Donors are urged to check expiration dates. 

Learn more at HSHS Home Care’s Cram the Car website, or by contacting Engelbart at 217-685-0702 or Valerie.Engelbart@hshs.org. 

HSHS Home Care staff help patients maintain an independent lifestyle by offering in-home services such as physical, occupational and speech-language therapy; wound care; cardiac rehabilitation; stroke care; pain management; hospice and palliative care; fall risk assessment; and pediatric care. 

HSHS Home Care is accredited by The Joint Commission, a U.S.-based nonprofit that works with and evaluates more than 24,000 health care organizations, public health agencies and health ministries worldwide on patient care quality and safety.