Jan. 31. Novant Health announced Novant Health Nourishes, a campaign designed to address food insecurity in partnership with the Novant Health Foundation.

Building on a variety of initiatives aimed at tackling food insecurity, Novant Health Nourishes provides community members the opportunity to ensure no neighbor goes hungry by helping to fund Novant Health’s emergency food pack program.

One in eight North Carolinians experience food insecurity, which is associated with multiple increased health risks, including birth defects, diabetes, hypertension, poor sleep and mental health conditions.

In January 2022, Novant Health began screening all patients for food insecurity who visit a Novant Health clinic. As part of Novant Health Nourishes, those who screen positive are offered connections to food resources and if there is an urgent need, an emergency food pack that provides a four-day supply of food.

“We know that 80 percent of a person’s health is attributed to what we call social determinants – or factors that influence their health outside the walls of a hospital or clinic,” said Dr. Jerome Williams Jr., senior vice president of consumer engagement, Novant Health. “Hunger is a vital sign and each month, we have on average 3,000 patients screening positive for food insecurity in our clinics, with 400 to 600 patients not having food for that day.”

The emergency food pack program was recently expanded to Charlotte Novant Health medical group clinics in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina.

Through Novant Health Nourishes, the community is invited to help ensure no neighbor goes hungry. A contribution of $30 to the Novant Health Foundation can help provide a four-day supply of food for a family of four. To make a donation, click here.