Catholic Medical Center, Frisbie Memorial Hospital, Parkland Medical Center, and Portsmouth Regional Hospital joined forces to tackle food insecurity in New Hampshire. Together, they collected nearly 2,800 pounds of food for local pantries through HCA Healthcare’s annual Healthy Food for Healthier Tomorrows Food Drive.
For two weeks in November, employees were encouraged to bring items from each hospital’s wish list. The total of 2,798 pounds provided over 2,300 meals for food banks in the Seacoast and Southern New Hampshire area. Here’s how much each hospital contributed:
- Catholic Medical Center: 431 pounds for the New Hampshire Food Bank
- Frisbie Memorial Hospital: 542 pounds for The Share Fund
- Parkland Medical Center: 375 pounds for Sonshine Soup Kitchen
- Portsmouth Regional Hospital: 1,450 pounds for Gather
Portsmouth Regional emerged as the top donor among 18 HCA facilities. CEO Sean Patterson highlighted the strong community spirit, praising staff efforts to support those in need. “It was heartwarming to see the incredible 1,450-pound donation this season,” he noted.
The Healthy Food for Healthier Tomorrows Food Drive began in 2021. It’s part of HCA Healthcare’s larger effort to combat food insecurity—an issue affecting millions of Americans. Notably, recent data indicates that 10.5% of U.S. households faced food insecurity in 2021, a reality tied to health concerns like diabetes and depression.
Christopher Finley, an assistant vice president at HCA, emphasized the drive’s importance. “Many people are struggling, and food insecurity can lead to serious health issues,” he explained. HCA works closely with local nonprofits to support those in need, underscoring their commitment to the community.
By addressing these issues, the HCA team is not just providing food; they’re also nourishing hope in New Hampshire.
For more on food insecurity and its health impacts, check out the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s report.
