CHKD Receives Grant from Rite Aid Healthy Futures to Improve Food Access for Patient Families

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. – CHKD has received a $50,000 Connecting Communities grant from Rite Aid Healthy Futures to provide patient families with healthy, shelf-stable food and assistance with referrals for other needs.

Working in collaboration with the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, CHKD will use the grant for a family nutrition program based at its General Academic Pediatrics practice, located in Norfolk.

The grant comes as part of Rite Aid Healthy Futures’ Connecting Communities program, which directs funding to anchor institutions, such as hospitals, that nurture and promote health equity for children, especially those who may already be receiving medical care or living with a serious illness.

“Children’s hospitals are on the front lines seeing and treating the profound effects of hunger, food apartheid and systemic racism in communities across our nation every day,” said Matt DeCamara, executive director of Rite Aid Healthy Futures. “Treating food as medicine and engaging communities in programs that stabilize food access, reduce disease prevalence and create local sovereignty builds healthier and more resilient children, families and neighborhoods. It is imperative to act with purpose and urgency to address the food insecurity crisis. We are proud to partner with so many leading health care systems to ensure pathways to many healthier tomorrows.”

CHKD is one of 40 hospitals that is receiving funding to support work in children’s health and wellness. Grants are made possible by the generosity of customers who round up their purchase through Rite Aid’s KidCents program.

“Food insecurity is a significant issue that can have a negative effect on the overall wellbeing of our patients and families,” said Kate Ryan, philanthropy officer at CHKD. “We are excited to partner with Rite Aid Healthy Futures and the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore to further the reach of our family nutrition program.”