Toledo, Ohio-based ProMedica has formed some unique partnerships to address hunger as a public health issue, saving more than 30,000 pounds of food from local businesses since February to share with low-income families, according to a Toledo Blade report.
The health system has partnered with The Alliance to End Hunger, a coalition based in Washington, D.C. Studies have found residents in Lucas County, Ohio, face one of the highest hunger rates in the state, and ProMedica President and CEO Randy Oostra has said healthy eating options are not affordable on food stamps alone.
ProMedica has "adopted" an elementary school, to which it brings fresh fruit and vegetables for children. The hospital system has also visited Hollywood Casino Toledo, where ProMedica employees packaged food the casino would otherwise discard. ProMedica also matches food stamp benefits for use at the Toledo Farmer's Market, allowing people to bring home twice as much fresh produce, according to the report.
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