East Central Reporter

HSHS Home Care is organizing a community event, "Cram the Car," in collaboration with Dan Hecht Chevrolet Toyota and Roy Schmidt Honda in Effingham. The initiative aims to collect nonperishable food items, hygiene products, and monetary donations for Catholic Charities' food pantry during February, which is National Canned Food Month.

The donations will be accepted throughout February, and on March 1, HSHS Home Care staff will deliver the collected items to Catholic Charities. This regional office supports several counties including Clark, Crawford, Cumberland, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, and Shelby.

“Cram the Car inspires me every year when I see how our neighbors, friends and colleagues come together to care for the community,” stated Valerie Engelbart from HSHS Home Care. “It’s a privilege to deliver their generous donations. Let’s see how many cars we can fill!”

Suggested donation items include boxed meals like Hamburger Helper or Rice-a-Roni, pancake mix and syrup, jelly, canned fruit and vegetables (preferably sugar-free or low-salt), pasta sauce, cereal, granola bars, large boxes of oatmeal as well as soap and shampoo among other hygiene products. Donors are encouraged to check expiration dates before donating.

Donations can be dropped off at:

- HSHS Home Care office located in St. Anthony’s Health Center at 900 W. Temple Ave., Building A, Suite 101 in Effingham from Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

- Dan Hecht Chevrolet Toyota at 2400 S. Banker St., Effingham

- Roy Schmidt Honda at 1705 W. Fayette Ave., Effingham

For further details about "Cram the Car," Valerie Engelbart can be contacted at 217-685-0702 or via email at Valerie.Engelbart@hshs.org.

HSHS Home Care provides various services such as physical therapy and cardiac rehabilitation aimed at helping patients maintain independence while receiving care at home. The organization is accredited by The Joint Commission which evaluates health care organizations worldwide on quality and safety standards.