For 17th year, UC Davis Hospice provides Thanksgiving meals to patients

UC Davis Hospice has an annual tradition of providing meals for hospice patients and their families for Thanksgiving. This year marks the 17th year in which the team has participated in the tradition.

“Delivering Thanksgiving meals to hospice patients and their families is meaningful to me because the holidays are a time to spend with loved ones,” said Deena Mikbel, a hospice volunteer. “I can only imagine the stress and sadness families must feel, knowing it could be the last Thanksgiving together. Being able to ease that burden, even slightly, and make what may be their final holiday together a little less stressful is profoundly rewarding.”

The hospice team works with Raley’s on Folsom Blvd. to acquire everything needed for a typical Thanksgiving meal: turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, green beans, and cranberry sauce. The team at Raley’s generously donates pumpkin pies and a dozen rolls for each family.

“UC Davis Hospice is grateful to Raley’s for their continued support and generosity in helping us provide Thanksgiving dinners to our families during a difficult time,” said Charlotte Norton, clinical operations manager.

The complete meals are then delivered by volunteers to families who were nominated by hospice staff.

“My patient is a bed-bound and completely dependent young woman, who is cared for by her mother. The mother shared with me how difficult the holidays have become for them. I shared this with our team and requested one of the Thanksgiving meals,” said Meg McClasky, chaplain. “After Thanksgiving, the mother shared with me how she broke down in tears when the meal arrived. She said it was such a huge relief and so meaningful to her and her family and made the day much easier. With tears in her eyes, she asked me to thank everyone who was involved.”

This year, just like most, the hospice volunteer team delivered 25 Thanksgiving dinners, each meal feeding six to eight people.

“My father was on hospice with UC Davis and the support provided to my family, from start to end was amazing! I needed to give back the same measure and compassion that was shown my family, so I became a hospice volunteer,” said Cheryl Shimada. “Delivering Thanksgiving dinner to hospice families was a blessing. With each delivery, I had the opportunity to listen to their experiences of gratitude toward all of the hospice staff. The experience was medicine to help move through the grief of losing my dad and a bittersweet gift he unknowingly gave to me with his acceptance of hospice.”

UC Davis Hospice is able to continue this tradition of providing Thanksgiving meals due to generous financial donations to the hospice memorial fund.

For more information on how you can support the hospice volunteer program, please reach out to Volunteer Coordinator Erin Bjork.