UNC Health Nash Foundation receives $2,000 grant

To advance its mission of improving patient outcomes beyond the hospital’s walls, the UNC Health Nash Foundation relies on funding provided by individual donors and philanthropic organizations.

Recently, the foundation was awarded a $2,000 grant from the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation, marking the second consecutive year Food Lion’s support will help the UNC Health Nash Inpatient Food Pantry continue its work of providing disease-specific nutrition to qualifying patients transitioning from hospital care to home.

“Some of our most vulnerable patients will be discharged with dietary restrictions they are unable to manage, whether due to financial constraints or limited access to the foods necessary for their recovery,” said Kathleen Fleming, director of the UNC Health Nash Foundation. “This grant from Food Lion Feeds ensures the Inpatient Food Pantry will continue to positively impact the lives of our patients. Funds from grants like these and generous donors allows our patients to focus on healing without worrying about where their next meal is coming from. It also allows us the opportunity to provide them with the resources and education they need to maintain good health long after leaving our care.”

Due to reports of food insecurity being on the rise in the Nash County area, the UNC Nash Inpatient Food pantry opened in 2021 to actively address this growing social determinant of health. The grant from Food Lion Feeds guarantees the pantry will be fully stocked for two months, providing healthy, easy-to-prepare meals for up to 100 patients in need.

“We are thankful to Food Lion Feeds for their continued commitment to alleviating patient hunger here in our home community,” Fleming said. “Their support, along with every contribution that sustains the Inpatient Food Pantry, creates a meaningful difference in the lives of many and inspires us to remain dedicated to building a healthier community together.”

For those interested in supporting the food pantry, visit the UNC Health Nash Foundation’s website at www.unchealthnashfoundation.org or contact Fleming at kathleen.fleming@unchealth.unc.edu or by phone at (252) 962-8583.

The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Food Lion, based in Salisbury. Established in 2001, the charitable foundation provides financial support for programs and organizations dedicated to eliminating hunger. The charitable foundation has provided more than $18.9 million in grant funding, helping to nourish communities with fresh food for backpack programs and other hunger-relief programs. The charitable foundation partners with Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief agency, in addition to local food agencies serving the 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states in which Food Lion operates. For more information, visit www.foodlion.com/pages/food-lion-feeds.