TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Union Health Terre Haute has announced a new Food Locker Program, which aims to help battle food insecurity throughout the Wabash Valley.
The program will provide emergency food bags to patients facing food insecurity.
Union Health stated that this program was developed as part of a broader initiative to explore “food insecurity and the role of food as medicine in the Wabash Valley.”
Food insecurity is a significant issue that directly affects Vigo County, with 18.3% of Vigo County residents experiencing food insecurity, which is 2.2% higher than the statewide rate, according to Feeding America’s 2023 data.
“Building on that foundation, Union Health continues to address food insecurity on a broader scale—through emergency food access, food-as-medicine programs and nutrition education that empowers healthier living,” said Union Health.
The locker will be a 16-door storage and distribution system that will allow Union Health case managers to provide patients being released from the hospital with emergency food bags.
“It’s heartbreaking to discharge patients who don’t know where their next meal will come from,” said Brianna Love, a Perinatal Navigator who sees the impact of food insecurity on a daily basis.
Once patients are identified as having food insecurity, they will be connected with the program, “ensuring they leave with immediate access to nutritious food for themselves and their families,” said Union Health.
“Food security is one of the most significant social determinants of health in our community,” said Jack Hill, COO of Union Health System. “Patients who struggle to access nutritious food often face greater challenges in their recovery and overall well-being.”
“Just the other day, a patient who had just given birth and was later readmitted for Postpartum Hypertension was provided two food bags to take home to her family of 5. This helps ease their struggles and provide some immediate relief. With the Food Locker, we can make sure patients leave with nutritious food for themselves and their families. This program is already making a real difference in people’s lives,” said Love.
Union Health said the new program wouldn’t be possible without their partnerships with the Lugar Center for Rural Health, Anthem Foundation, Catholic Charities of Terre Haute, the Union Health Foundation and support from an Elevance Foundation grant.
“Thanks to the support of our partners and the Elevance Health Foundation’s generous grant funding, Union Health can provide immediate access to emergency food bags, helping patients not only recover from their medical needs but also thrive once they return home. This program represents a meaningful step toward addressing health disparities and supporting the overall wellness of our community,” said Hill.
A ribbon-cutting for the new locker will be held on September 30, at 1 p.m., on Union Campus Building Two. To learn more about the program and how you can help support it, you can contact Heather Dalton Miklozek at 812-238-8163.
