West Liberty, Ky. – On June 16, the Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) Foundation for Healthier Communities presented a $5,000 grant to Christ’s Pantry in West Liberty, Kentucky, reinforcing efforts to combat food insecurity and marking the official start of the ARH Foundation’s “Giving with Our Hands” initiative.

Committed to furthering healthcare, education, and community involvement, ARH Foundation staff will be going into each community across the ARH service region to work directly alongside local partners and neighbors, demonstrating a commitment to their mission.

“Giving with Our Hands is our promise to roll up our sleeves and stand alongside our neighbors to help the communities we serve,” said Whittney Allen, Director of Foundation Marketing & Communications who championed the initiative. “We wanted to create something that allowed us to live our mission by showing up in multiple ways.”

Christ’s Pantry, a vital resource in Morgan County, offers regular food distribution for families in need. The $5,000 donation will help them meet demand and ensure continued access to nutritious food for local households.

Allie Archer, CEO of Morgan County ARH Hospital, joined the Foundation staff as they packed food boxes. Together, they packed boxes filled with essential staples including canned goods, grains, and produce, alongside Christ’s Pantry volunteers.

“We’re more than just a healthcare system. We’re neighbors,” Allie noted. “It meant so much to see our ARH team working together at Christ’s Pantry, making an impact where it’s needed most.”

ARH proudly supports the Food is Medicine program made possible through a partnership between the Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. In October 2024, Hollie Harris, president and CEO of ARH and the co-chair of Food is Medicine, proudly announced that all 14 hospitals were on board.

The ARH Foundation supports a variety of programs and services, including the systemwide ARH Volunteer Program.

“The ARH Foundation is proud to be out in our communities serving just as our ARH volunteers do every day,” said Angela Bailey, Executive Director of the ARH Foundation. “We are committed to building healthier communities across our system and we believe that this will allow for an even greater impact.”

“Giving with Our Hands” isn’t just a one-day event, it’s an ongoing project. The ARH Foundation will be visiting communities throughout the year offering volunteer support to local organizations.

“At ARH, we believe in showing up for our communities in every way we can, through funding, through service, and through partnership,” Bailey said. “Christ’s Pantry is doing incredible work, and we’re proud to support it.” For more information about the ARH Foundation, visit www.ARH.org/donate and to learn more about volunteering at ARH, visit www.ARH.org/volunteers.