A big boost for Chatham-Kent Hospice, thanks to a local farmer.
Bethann Vandevelde saw a post on social media about the Canada’s Farmers Grow Communities Program, which supports charities in rural communities across the country.
Vandevelde nominated Chatham-Kent Hospice, and the organization was named one of 66 groups across Canada to receive a $2500 grant.
The Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation relies on community support with an average of $110,000 needed each month to support the facility’s day-to-day operations.
“Chatham-Kent Hospice receives partial funding from the provincial government, covering about 50% of the annual operating budget,” Foundation Executive Director Jodi Maroney sys. “These funds are for direct medical costs, so donations are vital to cover all other expenses such as groceries, utilities, program supplies and administration expenses.”
Maroney doesn’t know the specifics, but she assumes Vandevelde either knows someone who has benefitted from their services or thinks that our community benefits from having the hospice services available. The Chatham-Kent Hospice has provided compassionate end-of-life care to almost 900 families since opening in 2016.