A hospital stay can be scary, stressful, uncomfortable and just plain boring. Even when you're not feeling well, it's no fun to be confined to bed and faced with days of watching TV or reading. That's where the Arts In Healing program is hoping to make a difference — by giving patients the opportunity for a pleasant diversion in the form of painting, music, jewelry making and other creative outlets during their stays at Sacred Heart or Holy Family hospitals. Jane Matern, director of Providence's Spiritual Care Services, says the de-stressing effects of the art program's activities sometimes can even reduce the need for pain medications and speed patient healing.
Arts In Healing is entirely funded by donations, and on Wednesdays in October a group of area restaurants — including Laguna Cafe, Rock City Grill, Vintages @ 611, Huckleberry's 9th Street Bistro and others — will donate a portion of their soup sales as part of the program's Soup for the Soul fundraiser event. In addition, children who've been impacted by Arts In Healing have decorated soup bowls to be sold at the hospitals' cafeterias.
Soup for the Soul • Wednesdays in October: Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 • Prices at participating restaurants vary • List of restaurants at washington.providence.org/events
