Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare expands YMCA food program to Methodist North Hospital

News provided by

Apr 11, 2023, 10:57 ET

MEMPHIS, Tenn., April 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare recently expanded its partnership with the YMCA of Memphis and the Mid-South to include Methodist North Hospital as a new pickup location for their weekly food distribution program for school-aged children.

"Addressing food insecurity is a major priority for our healthcare system," said Marcus Ross, director of community engagement and social determinants of health for Methodist North Hospital. "We know about half the patients who seek care at our flagship hospital are food insecure. That means when they are discharged from the hospital, they lack resources and access to nutritious food options when they return home."

According to MLH's 2022 Community Needs Health Assessment, 16 percent of Shelby County residents have limited access to food. An alarming 27 percent of children in the county are experiencing food insecurity, which means they live meal-to-meal, may skip meals or eat less than recommended.

The Memphis-based healthcare system and the Y began meal distributions in 2021 during Methodist South Hospital's annual Whitehaven Farmers Market, which is held throughout the summer. Because of the program's success, the YMCA continues to offer the program each Monday, with about 100 families participating.

Methodist University Hospital began their weekly distribution last fall with about 50 families eager to participate. Now, an estimated 150 families receive meal kits each Thursday.

The Methodist North location is currently available to families each Tuesday, beginning at 10 a.m. at 3980 New Covington Pike in Memphis.

The YMCA food program is available to families with children under age 18. A seven-day meal kit includes fruits, vegetables, cheeses, proteins and healthy snacks.

For a complete list of weekly pickup locations and to sign up, please visit YMCAMemphis.org.

About Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare

Based in Memphis, Tennessee, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare has been caring for patients and families regardless of their ability to pay for more than 100 years. Guided by roots in the United Methodist Church and founded in 1918 to help meet the growing need for quality healthcare in the greater Memphis area, MLH has grown from one hospital into a comprehensive healthcare system with 13,000 Associates supporting six hospitals, including nationally ranked Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, ambulatory surgery centers, outpatient facilities, hospice residence and physician and specialty practices serving communities across the Mid-South. From transplants and advanced heart procedures to expert neurology services and compassionate cancer care, MLH offers clinical expertise with a focus on improving every life we touch.

SOURCE Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare