Cleveland Clinic Akron General opens food pantry for patients in need

Cleveland Clinic Akron Common has opened a food items pantry to assist people who are encountering meals insecurity.

The pantry, which opened late past month, will present food items for the duration of its initially period to patients of the hospital’s Center for Family members Drugs who remedy affirmatively to one particular of two questions on a screening resource. The questions talk to if the particular person has been concerned about their capability to obtain food in the earlier 12 months or if they ran out of food stuff and didn’t have funds to invest in extra in the earlier 12 months.

AxessPointe: AxessPointe pairs food with health-related visits for some

The pantry is funded by an Ohio Section of Medicaid grant to the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank secured by Condition Rep. Emilia Sykes. The grant is to assist food-insecure people with long-term disease and their family members who are living in Summit County.

“Having access to ample quantities of meals is critical to a person remaining capable to working experience very good wellbeing, and this initiative will assist many individuals reach that goal,” Akron Basic President Dr. Brian Harte stated.

When a individual has accessed products and services as a result of the pantry, they are ready to return as often as they will need. No cost will ever be billed.

The aim is to broaden the system to support a lot more outpatients as nicely as inpatients who are currently being discharged to residence, said Claire Unfastened, supervisor of nourishment remedy at the healthcare facility.

”Food insecurity continues to plague our group, and the wellbeing and very well-staying of our mates and neighbors,” reported Sykes.

The foodstuff, presented by the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, consists primarily of non-perishable products, even though other items will be available as available.

The pantry is open up 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday as a result of Friday. The staff members expects to provide 15 to 20 people a 7 days in the first stage.

AxessPointe Group Wellness Centers, a federally supported group health middle, opened a very similar foodstuff pantry in 2020 for its patients. The “Foods is Drugs Pantry” has a pantry and a private hygiene closet at three spots in Akron, Barberton and Kent.

Beacon Journal staff members reporter Betty Lin-Fisher can be attained at 330-996-3724 or blinfisher@thebeaconjournal.com. 

This report originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Food items pantry at Cleveland Clinic Akron Typical to enable clients