Independence Health System Donation Drive Supports Food Institute

BUTLER, PA, JUNE 14, 2024…The Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Community Engagement Committee is sponsoring a donation drive to support the Independence Health System Food Institute. The donation drive will be held from June 17 to June 21 and aims to collect essential food and supplies to support the Food Institute in its mission to build healthier communities by addressing food insecurity and offering educational resources to help individuals learn about healthy eating.

The Food Institute has locations in Butler and Clarion. Participants are referred to the Food Institute through the Independence Health System provider network. Upon referral, participants meet with a nutrition liaison once a month, for four months. On the initial visit, an individual’s needs, such as dietary restrictions and cooking utensils, are assessed. Patients receive food shares, recipes, and nutritional education.

Education on the sustainability of healthy eating is an important focus of the program.

Topics include food safety, label reading, reducing added sugars, choosing healthy fats, reducing sodium, menu planning, and shopping on a budget. Participants also receive ingredients and recipes for 10 healthy monthly meals to feed a family of four. 

The following non-perishable food items are being collected:

• low-sugar cereal, plain old-fashioned oatmeal
• peanut butter, raw nuts
• canned vegetables*, canned tomato sauce*, pasta sauce*, canned soup*
• canned fruit (in fruit juice), unsweetened applesauce
• chicken or beef broth*, canned tuna, salmon, or chicken (packed in water)
• canned kidney beans*, canned black beans*, canned chickpeas*
• whole wheat pasta, brown rice, whole wheat crackers
• light mayonnaise, cooking oil, soy sauce*, powdered or shelf-stable milk

*Please choose unsalted or low-sodium products

In addition, the following utensils and paper products are being collected: 

• can openers, meat thermometers, kitchen shears, spatulas, pot holders
• mixing bowls, strainers, cutting boards 
• microwavable plates/bowls, silverware/eating utensils
• dish soap, paper towels
• hand and body soap, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, lotion, toothbrush/toothpaste, feminine hygiene products
• toilet paper, laundry detergent, baby wipes, hand sanitizer

Donation bins will be located at Independence Health System facilities and offices across Butler and Clarion counties throughout the week. Community members interested in participating can take donations to Butler Memorial or Clarion Hospital. 

• Independence Health System Butler Memorial Hospital - 1 Hospital Way, Butler, PA 16001; Tower & Brady Street Entrance
• Independence Health System Clarion Hospital - 1 Hospital Drive, Clarion, PA 16214; Main Entrance

Independence Health System Butler Memorial and Clarion Hospital employs nearly 250 Advanced Practice Providers (APPs), which include Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners (CRNPs), and Physician Assistants/Associates-Certified (PA-C). They provide care to patients in family medicine and specialized areas, including cardiology, dermatology, electrophysiology, endocrinology, neurology, orthopedics, palliative care pulmonary, among others. To learn more about the programs and services offered, visit www.independence.health.

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Nationally recognized for quality care, Independence Health System comprises Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland Hospitals with a combined bed count of 925. With more than 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and 7,300 employees, the System is the third largest in western Pennsylvania serving a population base of 750,000 in a footprint spanning more than 10 counties. 

The System includes tertiary programs rated among America’s best for cardiac care and surgery, earning accolades from a number of prestigious outlets and organizations. Locally owned and locally controlled, Independence Health System offers its patients low-cost, high-quality care across the care spectrum in such specialties as cardiology, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, women’s health and obstetrics, emergency medicine, behavioral health and primary care. Its network of outpatient centers sees more than 1.2 million visits annually. The homecare division further supports patients at all stages of life with home health and hospice services. Learn more at www.independence.health

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