PPRA joined forces with The Gift of Life House to host a meal through the Home Cook Heroes Program. The House serves patients and caregivers waiting for or undergoing an organ transplant at any of the Philadelphia area’s eight transplant centers.
Home Cook Heroes program provides a meal for the transplant families. Since opening in July 2011 at 4th and Callowhill, Home Cook Heroes program has served over 25,700 meals. 365 days a year they request for meals to be prepared for dinner daily at 6pm and on the weekends, brunch at 10am.
Meredith Avakian-Hardaway, Treasurer for PPRA sent out an email seeking members that were “Hungry to Help.” When I opened this email and read about the call to action for volunteers, I cleared my schedule, gave up my Phillies tickets and signed up to take part of this volunteer event. Besides that fact I enjoy cooking for others and take pride in my food, The Gift of Life House is special to me. I know what those families are experiencing. On June 12, 2012, my Mother received a kidney from my Stepfather. Luckily due to the close proximity of my hometown and the University of Pennsylvania, my family did not need to utilize the House. For the families traveling outside of the 25 mile radius this House is beyond helpful. The House makes it convenient for the folks undergoing treatment, waiting for the phone call saying the organ is ready or the follow up care post-transplant. What a remarkable place it is. I am so happy that PPRA decided to help and provide a meal through the Home Cook Heroes Program.
The group that signed up to prepare the meal settled on a menu of:
- fresh tossed salad
- baked potato soup
- cheesy garlic bread
- steamed broccoli
- baked ziti with cheese
- baked ziti with sausage
- baked chicken
- cupcakes
- cakes
- assorted beverages
Most of the meal was ready to go upon arrival; we had some prep work before it was ready to serve. We did not have too many cooks in the kitchen! We all worked together nicely to make sure we had everything ready to be served by 6pm. We all shared the experience of what it was like to have a meal ready for over 30 people. The food provided by the volunteers is one less worry that the guests and families have to worry about. It also takes off the financial burden of paying for every meal for the guests staying at the House. One family we met has been at the House since December. The staff let us know the leftovers are not wasted; often they are reheated for lunch the next day.
The house is beautiful. Our group was escorted around by two volunteers, Joe who was a transplant recipient and Janice whose daughter received a heart transplant. These two individuals took great pride in showing us around the house and also helped us in the kitchen finding all the various items we needed. The House has over 600 volunteers!
PPRA cannot wait to go back to The Family House and prepare another meal. For the future when we return, think about making your favorite dish, contributing towards the meal or even dropping something off before your work day starts. It was a great experience for all of us. Just another way PPRA and its members are giving back to our community.
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