PRESTONSBURG, Ky. – Officials from Appalachian Regional Healthcare recently gathered to celebrate and launch ARH’s sponsorship of the God’s Pantry Food Bank Rescue Program.

ARH’s $200,000 sponsorship allowed for the purchase of two God’s Pantry and ARH co-branded vans, which are being used to rescue excess, safe food from partner retail stores and restaurants throughout eastern Kentucky. The food is then delivered to partner locations for distribution to those in need.

“Too many families in eastern Kentucky struggle to put food on the table, making it even harder to manage chronic disease,” said ARH Director of External Affairs Nika Larian. “Through this partnership with God’s Pantry Food Bank, we’re closing that gap.

“By redirecting surplus food into the community, we’re advancing our Food Is Medicine work and meeting people where they are so healthy meals reach families quickly, safely and with dignity.”

Larian explained more than 700 million people go hungry in the United States each day, while between 30 and 40 percent of all food produced goes to waste.

Food rescue, she said, is an underutilized solution that can help minimize waste while feeding those with food insecurity.

The London-based van will serve Bell, Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Leslie, McCreary, Owsley, Pulaski, Rockcastle and Whitley counties and the Prestonsburg-based van will serve Breathitt, Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Perry and Pike counties.

In addition to providing vans to help with rescue and distribution, food pantries at nine ARH hospitals are also providing excess food to local partners.

The hospitals, Larian explained, will safely store excess food throughout the week. On an assigned day, an ARH/God’s Pantry rescue van will pick the food up for distribution at that hospital’s partner food pantry or soup kitchen.

Participating ARH hospitals and their partners are:

• Hazard ARH Regional Medical Center and New Hope
• Whitesburg ARH Hospital and New Freedom
• Mary Breckinridge ARH and Stinnett Area Food Pantry
• Harlan ARH Hospital and Christ’s Hands
• Middlesboro ARH Hospital and Cooperative Christian Mission
• Highlands ARH Regional Medical Center and Fishes & Loaves
• Morgan County ARH Hospital and Christ’s Pantry
• Tug Valley ARH Regional Medical Center and Community Light House
• Paintsville ARH Hospital and 12 Baskets

Larian said she is excited for the launch of the sponsorship and the food pantries, as they will help alleviate both food waste and food insecurity, while also helping ARH in its mission to care for the residents of central Appalachia.

“With nine ARH locations participating in the Food Rescue Program with the support of our food service partner Sodexo, we are ensuring that good, safe food goes straight to families who need it,” she said. “This partnership strengthens our communities and supports the health of our region.”

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