In honor of National Nurse's Month, we're partnering with The National Association of Hispanic Nurses (MA Chapter) to support patients dealing with food insecurity.
"Everyday, I see patients who are hungry. The need seems to grow from one week to the next," shares Marilyn, a Family Nurse Practitioner here at Lowell CHC. "Access to healthy food is directly linked to good health, but it's not something I can solve with a prescription. I wanted to do something about it - and I know others feel the same way."
It's patients like Carmen* that inspired her to take action. Carmen is a grandmother who is actively searching for work, while also caring for her family. To put food on the table, she spends her days visiting multiple food pantries. She is grateful for what she can get, but often it is simply not enough. Carmen is also diabetic and inconsistent meals, plus a heavy reliance on processed foods she can find, put her at risk for dangerous complications.
Whether it's chronic health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or other issues, we see patients struggling everyday to care for themselves and their families. In honor of our Health Center's 55th Anniversary, we're raising $5,500 to purchase supermarket gift cards to be distributed directly to patients through our Community Health team.
Special thanks to The National Association of Hispanic Nurses, Massachusetts Chapter, for supporting this initiative through their generosity and advocacy.
*Name and some details changed to maintain privacy.