‘Piece Per Person’ Drive Delivers 31,000+ Food Items to Local Students

Reading Hospital's annual "Piece Per Person" food drive continues to make a major impact in the fight against student hunger.

This year, nearly 3,000 employees across 70 departments collected 31,484 food items to support students in the Reading School District through Weekender Bags, in partnership with Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank.

"Food insecurity is a real challenge in our community and can make it difficult for children to concentrate at school" said Rebecca Price, MSN, RN, CV-BC, NEA-BC, unit director of MICU and event coordinator. "We wanted to remove that barrier and give kids the nourishment they need to succeed."

The decade-long initiative, led by Magnet Nurse Champions, helps address food insecurity by providing 5,000 bags filled with nutritious meals and snacks for children to take home for weekends when school meals are unavailable. Each Weekender Bag includes two breakfasts, two lunches, and two snacks.

"Our staff remind us that nursing is so much more than a job. It's a calling that demonstrates their compassion and heart," said Charles F. Barbera, MD, Reading Hospital president and CEO. "Their dedication to care extends far beyond the walls of the hospital directly into the community they serve. This campaign is just one of many examples of generosity of our nurses and team members."