AUBURN – Several volunteers have been a part of establishing the new kitchen support role at the Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice Hospice House in Auburn this fall. The agency is looking to expand the number of individuals willing to volunteer for the new support role.

According to Karen Flynn, hospice house manager, the new volunteer opportunity fits well with the vision for the Hospice House kitchen. “We want the kitchen to be the heart of our hospice house, as it is with any home. We are creating an inviting, supportive, social space for patients and families to gather.”

The kitchen support volunteers assist the cook in preparing meals for patients and taking the meals to the patients’ rooms. Volunteers bake items to put out for visitors and prepare desserts for the patients ahead of time. Of course, like any other kitchen, there are always the dishes to do and other cleaning.

Ed Murphy, hospice house cook, works closely with the volunteers and has found the new role to be an important piece of the work. “The role is creative, social and does involve some work, but mostly it is fun,” said Murphy. “The volunteers can be creative and have been bringing in their own recipes. The role is very social as they meet and communicate with patients, families and hospice house staff.”

To become a kitchen support volunteer, contact the volunteer office at 777-7740 for more information. The scheduled volunteer times are noon to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. All new volunteers to Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice are required to participate in training and complete appropriate paperwork.

AHCH is a nonprofit Medicare-certified agency that annually provides comprehensive hospice care to more than 1,200 residents of central and western Maine through its offices in Lewiston, Bridgton, Dixfield, Oxford and Wilton. For more information, visit www.AHCH.org.