INDIANAPOLIS — Eskenazi Health is working to make an impact on the lives of Hoosiers through not only meeting medical needs, but their health needs as a whole.
The health provider has been working with Gleaners Food Bank since mid-July to create a network of distribution locations and deliveries to provide food to populations in need in our community.
And the need is growing as the coronavirus pandemic continues to have a hold on our jobs, wages and economic growth here in Indianapolis.
Seth Grant is the director of food strategy for Eskenazi Health. He says as a safety net hospital for the state of Indiana, Eskenazi Health has always had a heavy focus on community and the issue of food insecurity.
"We continue to step up our efforts to get the food out into the community, and make sure it's getting to the folks that need it the most," Grant said.
He says the need is nothing new but it is heightened by the ongoing pandemic, so they, with Gleaners, are ramping up efforts to look after the whole health of people in our community.
Eskenazi Health is utilizing a food program funded through the USDA Farmers to Families Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.
As of the start of October, food giveaways totaled more than 1,700 food boxes along with gallons of milk per week on average. By the end of this calendar year, they are projected to have served more than 32,500 families in the community.
Eskenazi is utilizing giveaways on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at multiple locations.
For days and times, visit eskenazihealth.edu for more and click here.
In addition to this effort, Eskenazi Health is piloting a partnership with Second Helpings as well to provide pre-packaged meals for families from Mesh on Mass.
