Bridging the gap between food & recovery with Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital

Nourishing Body and Soul: A Bridge to Healing

Betsy Diller, a compassionate Community Health Worker, and AK Kritt, our dedicated Community Nutrition Manager, stand ready to receive a precious shipment: ready-to-eat food bags destined to bring comfort and sustenance to those in need. At Sai Kripalu Foundation, we understand that true healing extends far beyond the walls of a hospital. It requires nurturing the whole person – body, mind, and spirit.

This is the essence of the Health & Hope program, a collaborative embrace between Nourishing Hope and esteemed institutions like Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital (EHSH). As Ty Matthew, Nourishing Hope's online market coordinator, beautifully describes it, these bags are "snacks, resources, food – Nourishing Hope in a small bag," a tangible expression of care and support.

Together, we are building a vital bridge, connecting medical treatment with the everyday well-being of individuals facing hardship. By providing nutritious groceries to low-income patients during vulnerable times, we empower them to continue their journey towards recovery with dignity and strength.

EHSH's 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment illuminated a profound truth: food insecurity and adverse health outcomes are inextricably linked. Through the unwavering dedication of hospital staff – intake coordinators, nurses, and social workers – we discovered the opportunity to extend our reach beyond the hospital's physical boundaries, offering immediate food and social services support during critical transitions.

With the generous support of the Swedish Hospital Foundation, EHSH launched its food access program in 2020, welcoming Nourishing Hope as a cherished partner. This initiative recognizes that food is not merely sustenance; it is an integral component of healthcare, a foundation upon which healing and hope can flourish.

Nourishing Hope's partnership is a cornerstone of EHSH's broader Food Connections initiative, a hospital-wide commitment to improving food access for patients, staff, and the community. This comprehensive program encompasses:

• On-site food cupboards, providing immediate relief to those in need.
• The Farm, an employee-run garden cultivating fresh produce and a sense of community.
• Veggies for Health, a produce distribution program ensuring access to vital nutrients.
• The Discharge Food Bag Program, where our Health & Hope Program plays a pivotal role in providing nutritious food for patients as they transition home.

This holistic approach, championed by individuals like Ashlee Roffe, Director of Nutrition and Community Health, embodies the spirit of Sai Kripalu Foundation: to serve with compassion, empower with dignity, and transform lives through acts of loving-kindness.