Our Services
Bikur Cholim of Greater Washington is here to support and partner with you and believes in working together to customize your plan. You will have an opportunity to create your own client portal where you can share updates about your needs and feedback on services. Respecting your wishes and privacy are our primary concerns. We have many programs that can assist you and we encourage you to ask for help with anything you do not specifically see listed, as we are often able to accommodate special requests.
To begin receiving services, contact us or click on the button below to create your client portal.
How Can BCGW Help You?
We offer a variety of services, all free of charge. Whether you’re looking for a place to stay during a medical procedure or need support during your recovery, we have you covered.
Our Bernard Creeger Bikur Cholim House is a beautiful Jewish home away from home for patients and families seeking medical treatments in the Greater D.C. area.
Finding Kosher Food in the Hospital
We operate all hospital kosher pantries and respite rooms in the Greater Washington D.C region. These rooms offer food, Shabbat and holiday necessities, and personal care items.
Our volunteers deliver kosher meals for hospital patients and their families and to patients in need during their recovery. Meals are for short term needs. Our staff can help you transition to other long- term services if needed.
We provide free short-term loans of medical equipment to the local Jewish community and those visiting from out of town.
We provide limited free transportation for patients who need to be driven to medical appointments and are unable to drive themselves.
We offer social events, support, and visitors for seniors, caregivers, and hospital patients in our community.
Ben’s Wellness is now a BCGW fund that assists members of the Greater Washington Jewish community with mental health bills.
Please click HERE learn more about the fund and how to apply for assistance.
We can often provide financial support for people who need help with general medical bills, and dental bills.
To learn more and see if you qualify for medical, dental or mental health financial assistance, please get started by filling out a client application form and then indicate when prompted that you are interested in one of our financial assistance programs.
MEIR L'OLAM HOSPITAL PANTRY PROGRAM
Kosher Pantries and Respite Rooms
BCGW operates all hospital kosher pantries/respite rooms in the Greater Washington D.C region. These rooms are accessible 24/7 and offer food, Shabbat and holiday necessities, as well as personal care items. Each room is a Jewish oasis inside the hospital. We also deliver fresh kosher meals to most hospitals in the Greater Washington D.C. area upon request.
BCGW stocks Shabbat and holiday supplies in hospital chaplain offices as well. Please ask to speak with a chaplain and ask them what BCGW has provided them for Jewish patients.
Contact us during office hours or leave a message after hours if you need help locating our pantries or need immediate assistance.
View our list of hospitals with fully stocked pantries and hospitals where we’ll deliver special diet kosher meals below. Many of these hospitals provide their own kosher meals. To learn more about what your hospital provides, request to speak with the dietary or spiritual care department.
Click to expand each list and see where each of our pantries/delivery zones is located and the hospitals we deliver to regularly. If you do not see your hospital or rehabilitation facility on the list, please contact us.
+ Hospitals with a Kosher Food Pantry
- Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
- Located on the third floor opposite the chapel and near the Cardiac Care Unit.
- Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, MD
- Located on the second floor inside the cafeteria.
- Adventist Healthcare Shady Grove Campus
- Located on the third floor opposite the elevators and near the Evergreen Family Lounge and Neonatal Unit.
- Adventist Healthcare White Oak Campus
- Located on Level 2 behind the Surgery Reception desk.
- Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health
- Located on the second floor; directions and code available at the front desk.
+ Emergency bags and Shabbat boxes at hospitals
- Georgetown University Hospital
- Available at the Department of Pastoral Care on 1st floor of main building.
- George Washington University Hospital
- Available in the Chaplain's office next to the gift shop.
- Holy Cross Hospital, Germantown
- Located in the Administrator Coordinator's (AC) office, room 5131. Please ask floor nurse to call for bag or Shabbat box.
- Inova Alexandria Hospital
- Available in the Spiritual Care Office.
- Inova Fairfax
- Chaplaincy Department
- Montgomery General
- Volunteer Services
- Sibley Memorial Hospital
- Available in the volunteer office on the first floor right near the information desk.
- Suburban Hospital
- Available in the Spiritual Care Office.
- Washington Hospital Center
- Available at the Chaplain's office, room 1B11. We also have a mini refrigerator in the office.
If you do not see the hospital you are looking for, please contact us.
+ Hospitals where we'll deliver kosher meals
- Adventist Shady Grove
- Adventist White Oak
- Children's National Medical Center
- George Washington University Hospital
- Georgetown University Hospital
- Holy Cross Hospital Germantown
- Holy Cross Hospital Silver Spring
- Montgomery General Hospital
- National Institutes of Health
- Sibley Hospital
- Suburban Hospital
- Washington Hospital Center
If you don't see your hospital or rehabilitation facility here please contact us.
Meal Delivery at Home
Peter and Shoshana Lunzer Food Program
We deliver nutritionally specific, delicious kosher meals directly to healthcare facilities and to our clients’ homes for short term needs. We work with local kosher vendors, community dietitians, and professional chefs to provide personalized meals that meet each client’s unique needs. Every meal is delivered with kindness, professionalism, and love.
Access our patient portal to learn more about our Lunzer Food Program.
Equipment Loans
Elsie and Jacob Trombka Equipment Loan Program
BCGW provides free short-term loans on medical equipment for the local Jewish community or for those visiting from out of town. We offer:
Canes
Crutches
Toilet seats
Commodes
Knee scooters
Shower seats
Side tables
Walkers
Wheelchairs
Please submit a request below to borrow equipment.
Transportation Assistance
Transportation to Medical Appointments
BCGW Rides is a free transportation service to medical appointments. We offer drop-off and escorted rides.
Approved clients may request up to three rides per month and will be matched with volunteer drivers when available. All requests should be submitted a minimum of two weeks in advance. You can make urgent requests if needed, but requests made earlier will take precedence.
Prior to making a transportation request, you must be an approved client in our system who has read and submitted the transportation policies agreement form. Click HERE to see a copy of the agreement form. You must be a registered client in order to receive rides. If you do not have a BCGW profile, register below. Contact BCGW if you are unsure whether or not you are already in the system.
BCGW Rides is more than a transportation service. It is meant to be a point of meaningful connection between volunteers and clients.
Social Support
Friendly Visitor Program
Connection is key to recovery. Stay connected to your community while you’re in the hospital or homebound by sharing stories and spending time with new friends. We offer scheduled in-person, phone, and virtual visits.
Support for Caregivers
Meet with other caregivers to learn from one another and share your common experiences. This group allows the type of support that only someone dealing with the challenges and rewards of caregiving truly understands.
Senior Social Club
Meet up with old friends and make new ones. Senior Social Club offers virtual and in-person events. Currently, this club meets before the Jewish holidays, but we are hoping to expand.
Smilemaker Program
In memory of Rabbi Yosef Samberg, this program offers extra support for individuals and families facing long-term health challenges.
Financial Assistance
Bernie Klapper Chesed Fund
The Bernie Klapper Chesed Fund was created to assist dental patients irrespective of their ability to pay. Contact us to learn more.
Grants for Paying Medical Bills
BCGW also offers small grants to help cover medical expenses for eligible recipients. To learn more, contact us.
*Only local community members are eligible for financial assistance.
Support a BCGW Service
Give a gift to help support someone in the community. We provide all of our services free of charge and are able to help so many due to the support of generous patrons like you.