Chaplain Micheal Smith provides spiritual support for patients recovering from serious injuries in the Burn Unit at Stroger Hospital of Cook County. During the harshest weather months the Burn Unit experiences a significant increase in patients, including a large number of housing and food-insecure patients. Many homeless patients are immediately faced with the challenge of securing food after discharge, for some even when he or she is being discharged to a shelter. Recognizing this essential need, Micheal partnered with Burn Unit nurses, social workers and staff dietitians to create “Samaritan” backpacks with non-perishable items to ensure that no one goes hungry after leaving the hospital.

Members of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church have donated the first 10 backpacks with cheese crackers, beef jerky, applesauce, pudding cereal bars, nuts and dried fruit, Vienna sausages, protein drinks, plastic flatware and hand wipes. Thanks, St. Chrys! Would you like to be sponsor a month? Contact  Micheal, micheal_smith@rush.edu today.