Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Clinic Food Pantries

Food insecurity is a nationwide issue that has major impacts both directly and indirectly on overall health and quality of life. Current literature suggests that eating a well-balanced diet improves the outcomes of patients struggling with hypertension, diabetes and many other chronic disorders. In turn, it reduces the amount of healthcare expenditure and stress put on health systems. However, in Wyandotte county alone, over 21,000 people are estimated to be struggling with food insecurity and are unable to regularly consume a balanced diet.

Our organization, Community Health Alliance, is made up of medical students at KUMC. We currently run two food pantries, one in the Internal Medicine Clinic and one in the Pediatrics Clinic at the University of Kansas Medical Center, aimed at decreasing the burden of food insecurity for our patients. To date, we have provided 6,546 pounds of food to 121 households. We rely primarily on donations from local food banks to stock our pantries, which, thankfully, allows us to provide good sources of most micro and macronutrients to our patients. Unfortunately, sources of protein are the most costly, making them difficult to obtain and remain reliably stocked.

Without protein rich foods, we cannot provide our patients with resources for full, well-balanced diets. Protein is crucial for muscle growth, tissue repair, energy and metabolic balance in bodies of all ages, shapes and sizes. Your support will allow us to regularly provide this vital macronutrient to people and families struggling with food insecurity, which will lead to better health outcomes, reduced stress and fewer hungry bellies for families in our community.