Toronto hospital launches program to help keep caregivers fed during stays

I've probably only gone home twice, maybe. Jennifer and Gabby Paiva have been staying at Holland Blue Review for three months now. Gabby has cerebral palsy and is recovering after an intense surgery. Her mother's been by her side 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And the last time the two were here, she says she barely ate. Most of the time you forget about eating because you don't want to leave your child, you know, at bedside and they want you there. It's their second stay here for post-surgical care. And while Gabby had her meals covered as part of treatment, Jennifer did not. It was one thing that I was like, how am I going to make that work again? And where am I going to go? This time around, the hospital stepped in. They've launched what they call a comprehensive food support program, providing $30 per day to caregivers of inpatient clients for hot meals prepared on weekdays and grocery credits for the weekends. The goal is to reduce stress about preparing meals and also to alleviate financial burden. We have families that are dependent on food banks. And then they come here and it's really, really difficult. Social worker Sue Osborne says one in five families at Holland Bloorview report experiencing household food insecurity and that 36% of families receiving care across the hospital live below the poverty line. Parents are a really big part of the care that we provide the children. They're part of the team, right? And so now that they have access to taking care of themselves, It's much easier. Some patients stay at Holland Blue Review for up to a year of treatment, like Michelle Progg and her daughter Maddie, who suffered a traumatic brain injury after a car accident, leaving Michelle out of work for 10 months. With only having the one income, we had to really look at our budget and create a special plan for me and for my family back at home. It's extremely exhausting. You have so many emotions and so many thoughts and the last thing you really want to be worried about is My health and how I'm going to eat. Now discharged, Michelle and Maddie hope this initiative will help other families in need. Having something like the food program enables us to stay focused and fueled and energized for our children. The program is fully funded for all caregivers of inpatient clients for the next three years, thanks to a $3 million contribution from donors. The hospital hopes to continue the program for years to come. Mercedes Gaston Bidet, CBC News, Toronto.