Obici Healthcare Foundation, Sentara Healthcare, and Walmart Partner with the Foodbank to Promote Healthy Outcomes
By Jordan Fonteno
The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia & the Eastern Shore recently announced a series of grants from Obici Healthcare Foundation, Sentara Healthcare, and Walmart totaling $410,000. The Foodbank will leverage these funds to support healthcare-related initiatives outlined in the organization’s Strategic Plan.
“Within the last year, we have been laser-focused on aligning our resources with strategic initiatives that have the ability to move us beyond feeding the line, and closer toward our goal to end the line,” said Ruth Jones Nichols, CEO of the Foodbank. “We are especially grateful to our partners that share our commitment to improving the nutritional value of distributed food to positively impact health outcomes.”
To increase nutritious meals in communities with a high prevalence of food insecurity, the Foodbank created the Mobile Pantry Program to deliver fresh fruits, vegetables, and protein to communities with limited access to healthy options, expanding the service delivery model and placing an even greater emphasis on fresh produce.
The Foodbank expanded the Mobile Pantry Program with the development of the Community Produce Hub in Western Tidewater. This project is funded in part by a $300,000 grant from the Obici Healthcare Foundation. This expansion of the Foodbank’s Mobile Pantry Program serves Franklin and Southampton County.
“We’re really excited about our partnership with the Foodbank on this three-year grant project,” said Annette Beuchler, President and CEO, Obici Healthcare Foundation. “The Community Produce Hub aligns with our mission to improve the health status of people living in our area, as it provides fresh produce to families with limited access to healthy food— which can prevent many chronic diseases.”
Additionally, the Foodbank received a $50,000 grant from The Sentara Foundation – Hampton Roads and Optima Health, and $60,000 in grant funding from Walmart to develop a Healthy Food Pantry with Calvary Revival Church in Norfolk.
“Collaborations with organizations such as the Foodbank are integral to the Sentara mission to improve health every day,” said Howard P. Kern, President and CEO, Sentara Healthcare. “Community partnerships result in a positive impact on social determinants of health for our community members. Food insecurity is a particular area of opportunity, and Sentara Healthcare and Optima Health are pleased to provide support for local food pantry programs.”
The newly expanded food pantry transitioned from the large distribution of dry goods to more fruits and vegetables that are low in sodium, sugar and trans-fat. The model also increased distribution of healthy food to individuals struggling with health-related conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity, and holistically address hunger and food insecurity.
“In our long-standing relationship with the Foodbank, we have been at the forefront of championing transformational efforts to fight hunger in the community,” said Keith Morris, Senior Director of Community Relations for Walmart. “Through the Healthy Food Pantry, we are able to take our support a step further to provide healthier food options for families facing food insecurity in the region.”
For up-to-date information on the Foodbank, and to learn how to get involved, visit www.foodbankonline.org, Facebook, or Twitter.
