Church keeps donations rolling for Bayhealth ER staff

MILFORD — During the height of the pandemic, health professionals saw a tremendous uptick in gifts from community members — everything from discounted services to free lunches.

However, as the crisis waned so did donations.

So, Dawn Hastings and her fellow congregants at The House of Praise for All People in Greenwood wanted to ensure that medical professionals continue to feel the love.

That sparked food donation events on the last Tuesday of every month for the emergency room team at Bayhealth Hospital, Sussex Campus.

It all started in 2022, when Ms. Hastings asked her pastor, Robert Muncy, and the House of Praise congregation if they were interested in sharing God’s love through gifts of food.

She inspired an act of giving that has now spanned more than two years and has included donations to the Milford Police Department, the 911 center in Kent County and multiple nursing units at the Sussex Campus.

“For all of us as Christians, it’s important to let people know that God actually sees you,” Pastor Muncy stated in a press release. “No matter how bad your day is, you are seen and loved.”

To garner the current contributions for Bayhealth, the church places announcements in its weekly bulletins about its “Community Blessing,” and congregants respond with generosity.

Everything from soup, snacks, sandwiches, fudge, fruit and other grab-and-go items are donated to deliver to the emergency department.

“Rumor has it that staff have been seen with their noses pressed against the windows waiting for us to come,” said Ms. Hastings’ husband, Steve Hastings. “We enjoy seeing how happy the donations make the team.”

The church volunteers are always met by Joan Myer, a patient advocate for Bayhealth, who has been instrumental in coordinating deliveries. And the Bayhealth Foundation recognizes the generosity with notes to the church’s members.

“It’s nice to see our team members in the emergency department being cared for in this way by members of our community,” said foundation president Lindsay Rhodenbaugh. “We’re grateful for the generosity of the church’s congregation.”

Ms. Hastings said she doesn’t see an end in sight for the initiative.

“In the ER, the team is coming into contact with patients who may be experiencing their worst day,” she said. “I can’t do a lot about that, but I can show love and support of the ER team through food.”

The House of Praise for All People welcomes donations from others outside of the church, as well.

“When you’re giving, you feel better about yourself, and the people you’re giving to receive a blessing,” Pastor Muncy said.

Visit bayhealth.org/foundation to learn more about ways to celebrate and honor health care professionals through donations.

Staff writer Mike Finney can be reached at 302-741-8230 or mfinney@iniusa.org.
Follow @MikeFinneyDSN on X.