Food Pantry:
All families are welcome to visit the food pantry at Sherry’s House to pick up essential non-perishable food items. Visit Sherry’s House on your own time to pick up pantry items, or drop in before or after a group or event when you are already here.
Meal Assistance:
Why Me has a dedicated group of volunteers willing to prepare and deliver home-cooked meals to families who are in the midst of their child’s treatment. We recognize that you spend many hours of your day at the oncology clinic or even days/weeks inpatient at the hospital. We would like to alleviate the pressure of having to prepare a meal to feed your family after a stressful day by providing weekly home-cooked meals.
Financial Assistance:
Why Me provides limited direct-financial assistance to families on a case-by-case basis. We also provide gift cards to families to help off-set mounting financial pressures during your child’s treatment. Gift cards for gas, groceries, clothing and other necessities are available. Please speak with Danielle regarding your financial needs or concerns.
Clinic & Hospital Visits:
Why Me staff and volunteers provide weekly hospital and clinic visits to offer support to both the child and the parent. These social and supportive visits include coffee, donuts, snacks, and activities to help pass the time during a hospital stay.
Parent Bags:
Why Me provides every family with a “Parent Bag” filled with items essential to an overnight hospital stay shortly after their child’s diagnosis. Our parent bags also include age appropriate activities and toys for the child. This bag serves as a great “carry-all” tote for future trips back and forth to the hospital and/or clinic.
Transportation Assistance:
With the assistance of our volunteers Why Me may be able to assist your family with transportation to and from the hospital, determined on an individual basis.
Holiday Assistance:
During the holidays, Why Me strives to alleviate some of the stress and financial burden on our families. We offer the makings of a holiday meal at Easter, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas – including sides, desserts and a main dish – which you can chose to prepare or freeze for a later date. We can also help with the purchase of gifts for your children for their birthday and for December holidays.
Counseling Referrals:
Upon request, Why Me can refer you to licensed counselors in the area. Why Me staff members have personally met with these professionals to help them gain a knowledge and understanding of recurrent issues and concerns that families with a childhood cancer diagnosis face.
Employment Assistance:
For many families, diagnosis means a parent will need to quit his/her job or take family leave because the frequency of clinic and hospital visits makes full-time work difficult. Our volunteers understand and want to help. They are available to assist in resume writing, discuss transferable skills, facilitate mock interviews to boost your confidence and provide networking guidance. Many parents have struggled with interruptions in employment and many employers understand that sometimes life happens.