VIDEO: Hospice Volunteers Tend to Patients Through Gardening

There are more ways than one to provide support and companionship to our patients as a Hospice volunteer.

Some of our volunteers help in the office with data entry, packaging supplies and creating admission packets. Some will interview a patient on their life story and create an audio recording to share with families. And others tend to our three garden plots at the Mountain View Community Garden in Roanoke to grow and deliver fresh vegetables to our patients and their families. 

In 2021, our volunteers planted, grew and harvested more than 100 pounds of tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, corn, peppers and cucumbers for patients. This year, they’ve harvested over 50 pounds so far and are on track to harvest another 50 pounds by the end of the season.

"Some of our families are food insecure, so getting a bag of fresh produce is real nutrition for them," says Sue Huntington, Hospice volunteer coordinator. 

Watch the video below to learn more about our Hospice Patient Garden and the volunteers who tend to it.

For more information on Hospice volunteer opportunities, contact Sue Huntington, Hospice, at 540-224-4795 or sghuntington@carilionclinic.org.