When patients walk out the doors of a hospital or clinic, they’re often stepping into uncertainty—not just about their health, but about their next meal. That’s where God’s Pantry Food Bank’s Healthcare Pantry Program steps in, offering not just nourishment, but hope.
Meeting Patients Where They Are
Started in 2018 through a partnership between God’s Pantry Food Bank and a medical resident at the Lexington Veterans Association, the program began as a way to support veterans being discharged with no food at home. Under the leadership of John Rupp, it has grown from one site and 16 boxes a month to over 51 clinics and hospitals which distribute approximately 350–400 boxes monthly.
How It Works
Patients are screened for food insecurity at partner clinics and hospitals. If eligible, they receive a healthcare box at discharge—ensuring they return home with immediate access to food.
Current partners include ARH, Ephraim McDowell, Floyd County Health Department, Healthfirst Bluegrass, Kentucky River Medical Center, the VA (Lexington and Somerset), Saint Joseph, Sterling Healthcare, Rockcastle Regional, and the University of Kentucky.
What’s Inside the Box?
Each healthcare box contains a carefully curated selection of nutritious shelf-stable foods. Common items include shelf-stable milk, peanut butter, dry cereal, canned proteins (such as tuna or chicken), soups, canned vegetables and fruits, and rice or pasta.
The contents vary month to month to provide some variety, and items are chosen with health and nutrition in mind, similar to those in Commodity Supplemental Food Program boxes.
Volunteer-Powered, Community-Supported
Once a month, GPFB checks in with each site to determine the number of boxes needed for the upcoming month. Volunteers at the Volunteer Center on Winchester Road then pack the boxes, making the program a community effort fueled by generosity and compassion.
Impact That Matters
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. For many, these boxes arrive at a critical moment—when they’re going home to little or no food. The program not only offers nourishment but also a sense of care and relief.
Looking to the Future
In a time when food insecurity and health challenges often go hand in hand, this program shows how healthcare and hunger relief can work together to support our neighbors.
