St. Peter's Outreach House donates food for Freeman dialysis patients

JOPLIN, Mo. − St. Peter’s Outreach House in Joplin is lending a helping hand to patients at Freeman Health System Nephrology & Dialysis Center. The organization donated food items to the Patient Dialysis Fund, which provides assistance to low-income and uninsured dialysis patients.

Outeach House Director Terri Giarratano said the organization plans to continue to donate foods that meet the nutrition requirements of a renal diet to these patients on a continuing basis. “Helping dialysis patients is part of our ministry to the community and we’re glad we can fill a need for these patients who can’t afford the foods they need,” she said.

Freeman Dialysis Services Administrative Director Sue Emmert said she wants to extend her thanks to St. Peter’s for helping their patients, explaining that the food is used for food baskets provided to patients each month. “The dialysis fund provides financial assistance to offset the cost of not only food, but other expenses related to dialysis treatment, such as lodging, travel costs, medical equipment, medications,” she said. “We have so many patients that have financial needs and we’re glad we’re able to help them take better care of themselves while undergoing treatment.”

Organizations or individuals interested in donating to the fund may do so by calling Emmert at 417.347.8331 or Freeman Social Worker Kim Bernot at 417.347.8346.

About Freeman Health System
Locally owned and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. A not-for-profit health system, Freeman provides cancer care, heart and vascular care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services, and women’s services and has more than 300 physicians on staff. Additionally, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com or facebook.com/freemanhealthsystem or follow Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker at twitter.com/freemanceo.