In that spirit, that’s what continues to drive the Gift-a-Family program, coordinated by the Mission Integration Committee and Service Excellence Department at Franciscan Alliance/St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers. The annual program serves residents primarily on the city’s south side to an area near the border line of
St. Francis employees and their respective departments adopted families earlier and began collecting new clothing, small household items and children’s toys and gifts.
“Each year we identify families who have been referred to us, and while they have different backgrounds they all share a common denominator – they’re needy and often in desperate situations,” said Shirley Fox, chair of St. Francis’ Mission Integration Committee. “And in the spirit of St. Francis, our employees step forward with generosity and compassionate concern to help them.”
Employees of Alverno Information Services, a division of the Sisters of St. Francis Health Services located on the hospital’s Beech Grove campus, also provided the families with food baskets.
“There are so many people in need at this time of year, and it’s gratifying to know we were able to reach out and help them,” said Sandy DuPriest, who along with Gene Rosenfeld coordinated the food collections at Alverno.
Alverno employees have been strong partners and supporters of Gift-a-Family program for years, conducting activities and purchasing the food and toiletries.
The food baskets were blessed by Father John Mannion of St. Francis Spiritual Care Services before employees delivered the food and gifts.
