HCA Lake City provides nutritious meals with food drive

Collecting food.  -HCA Photo

Staff Reports

This holiday season, HCA Florida Lake City Hospital contributed 1,323 pounds of food to Altrusa of Lake City’s Backpack Program, according to a press release. The donation, collected by hospital colleagues, help ensure children in the community have access to meals during school breaks and holidays this year.

     The release stated that as part of HCA Healthcare’s 5th annual Healthy Food for Healthier Tomorrows Food & Nutrition Drive, the HCA Healthcare Foundation and hospital colleagues throughout the state provide thousands of nutritious meals to community organizations by donating food and making financial contributions to help purchase perishable items such as milk, fruit and vegetables.

      “During a time when many families are facing growing needs, our team at HCA Florida Lake City Hospital is thankful to play a role in supporting a healthier future for our neighbors,” said Jill Adams, chief executive officer of HCA Florida Lake City Hospital. “Our annual Healthy Food for Healthier Tomorrows Food & Nutrition Drive underscores how vital it is to promote healthy eating and ensure access to nutritious food throughout the entire year.”

       More than one in seven Americans lack consistent access to nutritious food, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Food insecurity is associated with a higher risk of multiple chronic health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, mental health concerns and other chronic diseases.

      As part of this year’s food drive, hospital teams are encouraged to use their creativity to construct sculptures with the donated food to promote the effort and encourage donations. Photos of the sculptures are submitted, and a winner is selected in each HCA Healthcare division to receive a $10,000 grant for a food bank serving their community. HCA Florida Lake City Hospital constructed a helicopter to serve as a powerful symbol of teamwork between nurses, physicians, and first responders to care for patients in critical moments.

     In addition to the food donation, colleagues wrote notes of appreciation and encouragement for the volunteers who collect, organize and coordinate the Backpack Program each year. Over 100 notes were written to remind volunteers that their compassion and consistency make an important impact on the community.

Altrusa with HCA food donations.   -HCA Photo

HCA and Airmethods helicopter food structure.  -HCA Photo