NORWICH – On Saturday, March 21, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m., the Emmanuel Episcopal Church Outreach Committee will be sponsoring a Chicken and Biscuit dinner. The all-you-can-eat dinner, and a 50-50 raffle, will be held at the Emmanuel Episcopal Parish House and will benefit Hospice & Palliative Care of Chenango County. Hospice & Palliative Care of Chenango County is committed to providing the highest quality end of life care by partnering with patients, families, and the community. Current fundraisers help with expenses, but this dinner may help enlighten the community to their positive mission.

When you need end of life care Hospice can administer it. Hospice believes that you matter until the last moment of your life. That’s why they provide compassionate end-of-life care for you and your family to help make choices that are right for you. Hospice also offers grief services, or counseling after death, free of charge. There is a gap between insurance reimbursement and the actual cost of services provided. This is why community support is needed.

Hospice Executive Director, Pat Outhouse said, “We’re so appreciative of the church’s support of the mission of Hospice. We look forward to working with them to make the event a success!”

During the dinner, all of the wait staff will be Hospice staff or board members. If anyone has any questions about what Hospice does, the dinner will be a safe place to ask. One of the aspects of hospice care that the staff are hoping to highlight, is the importance of early referrals. Studies have shown that people who elect hospice care can on average live 2-4 weeks longer than those with the same diagnosis who do not elect hospice care. Hospice care is also designed to help meet the needs of the entire unit, offering support to all of the family members involved with the patients’ care.

“We’re excited to have another chance to be out in the community at a time of year when we aren’t normally” stated Kendall Drexler, Hospice Development Coordinator.

Hospice is also getting ready for their biggest fundraiser of the year, the Annual Spring Plant Sale. Proceeds help pay for the care of current and future Hospice patients. Read more on the web at hospicechenango.org .

"The Emmanuel Church is always just delighted when we get to support the ministry of Hospice.” Charles G. Taylor aka “Father Chuck” said, “Our mission is to share God's love with the community."

The Outreach benefit dinner coordinator, Charlie McMullen said, “Being a past Board member of Hospice, I ask everyone to come down and support this great organization by buying a meal because the food will be hearty and good and all the proceeds go directly to Hospice of Chenango County.”

The Emmanuel Episcopal Outreach Committee is chaired by Jim Everard. They have a variety of programs to assist people in need such as gas vouchers for medical appointments, assistance with water/electric/heating bills (not rent), providing handicap equipment, and with prescription/medical necessities. They also support the Our Daily Bread food pantry, provide space for Scouts/organization’s meetings, provide a Thanksgiving meal, and 100 Thanksgiving food baskets. The Church also sponsors the Soul Food Kitchen, a free meal once-a-month and the annual Relay for Life Benefit dinner in May.

Adults will be $7.00, children 6-12 are $5.00 and children under 6 are free. Takeouts are available; for more information please call the church at 334-8801. The Emmanuel Church is located at 37 West Main Street (at the corner of Elm and West Main) in Norwich. Email Father Chuck at FrChuckT@frontiernet.net . On the web -http://emmanuelnorwich.com/