Hunger to Health Highlight – Partnering to Promote Community Health
As part of the “Hunger To Health” initiative, The Idaho Foodbank has actively developed relationships with healthcare organizations to create co-locating partnerships; a collaboration of food bank and medical services at one shared location to address the needs of clients in a specific community. One such successful combination of these community services is the partnership with St. Mary’s and Clearwater Valley Hospitals and Clinics based in Cottonwood and Orofino Idaho.
- The Challenge: 2 hospitals + 8 Clinics to serve 28,000 people within an area the size of Maine
- The Goals: Reach individuals that avoid traditional medical care, develop a trusting relationship utilizing locally based St. Mary’s and Clearwater staff, and create a preventative care resource that is external to the traditional healthcare setting but also comfortable and convenient for clients
- The Function: As clients visit a mobile pantry location they are provided access to educational materials, classes, medical screenings, and referrals to other medical services and programs
- The Results: 3 co-location events, 138 participants, 49 screenings, 28 referrals to additional medical care, and the beginning of a healthier community
Learn more about Hunger To Health