Hospice volunteer program offers helping hand to patients and caregivers

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. (FOX 13) - Sonia Hidalgo is making sure her home cooked dinner is perfect.

"I love cooking. I think there's a lot of nurturing, love that comes from a good meal," said Hidalgo.

She's not making this for her own family. The mother of two is cooking for Ed and Jo Beth Wisner. Ed is in hospice care.

"I'm needing more help," said Jo Beth.

"Suncoast Hospice was really great when my father passed two years ago I got involved with one of their grief groups and then I found out they had a wonderful volunteer program, so I said I think this is going to be something that's really great to give back and spend some time with some other families who are going through some similar hard times," said Hidalgo.

"She is an angel. She just comes in and finds what's there and goes to the pantry and gets whatever she can find and makes all these good dishes," said Jo Beth.

Hidalgo is getting something back from it too.

"To hear stories of their family, their children, their grandchildren, their church, to hear stories of how they met each other, where they went to school they're just really amazing," said Hidalgo.

"I think this is one of the best programs that is in the area and they need lots of people doing this," said Jo Beth.

It's a program providing food and friendship. 

"If I can make one family member feel just a little bit more at ease through that time,  then everything that I'm doing is worthwhile," said 

For information about volunteer opportunities with Suncoast Hospice, visit https://suncoasthospice.org/volunteer-change-lives/.