Dell Children’s Medical Center, Central Texas Food Bank and H-E-B Partner Launch Region's First Fully Embedded Pediatric Hospital Food Pantry

Today,Dell Children's Medical Center announced the opening of a new on-site Food Pantry, within its Blood and Cancer Center, a pilot program marking the first food pantry fully embedded within a pediatric facility in Central Texas focused on using food to improve patient outcomes. This initiative is a collaborative effort with the Central Texas Food Bank and was fully funded by philanthropic contributions, including a generous donation from H-E-B to the Dell Children's Foundation.

"The launch of the food pantry is a testament to our vision and commitment to provide world class and holistic care," said Deb Brown, Chief Operating Officer at Dell Children's. "Having an embedded food pantry ensures our patients and their families have access to nourishing resources, alleviating the worry of food insecurity while they focus on navigating a significant health challenge. We are incredibly grateful for our partnership with the Central Texas Food Bank to bring this program to life and H-E-B for their generous support."

The Food Pantry operates through referrals from medical team members, including social workers and dieticians, who identify families experiencing food insecurity. Any family that expresses a need is eligible and, after completing a brief intake form, can select approximately 40 pounds of culturally appropriate and diet sensitive groceries. Designed to serve up to 600 families annually, about 50 each month, the pantry is open Wednesday through Friday, with limited access available earlier in the week for families with appointments. Families may visit up to twice per month and are connected with additional support, including SNAP screening, reminders about the monthly mobile food FARMacy, and information on other community resources, as well as ongoing support through the Central Texas Food Bank. This pilot program is expected to improve long term health outcomes, ease the daily burden on families, and help ensure every child and caregiver can count on something fundamental to their well-being, the dignity and security of having nourishing food. As the pilot program builds, there is a strategic plan in place for future expansion of embedded pantries across the Dell Children's ecosystem.

For Central Texas Food Bank President + CEO, Sari Vatske

"We're honored to continue our partnership with Ascension Seton and Dell Children's Medical Center in support of children and families navigating some of life's most difficult moments. "We know that food is medicine and therefore plays an essential role in health and recovery. The pantry in this facility is just the beginning. We look forward to growing this effort, including expanding access to other clinics and in-patient facilities in the future. Through partnerships like this one, we're proud to incorporate food access as part of overall healthcare, thereby helping make tomorrow possible for children and families."

"H-E-B is honored to support this groundbreaking partnership with Dell Children's and the Central Texas Food Bank. By helping provide access to nutritious food, we are investing in the health, healing, and well-being of children and families across Central Texas." Heidi Post, Senior Director of Public Affairs for Central Texas at H-E-B.

At Dell Children's Blood and Cancer Center, a highly experienced multispecialty team delivers the highest standard of pediatric cancer and hematology care. Our pediatric hematologists and oncologists have extensive expertise in diagnosing and treating the full spectrum of complex childhood cancers and blood disorders. Within the last year, Dell Children's Medical Center performed Central Texas' first successful pediatric autologous bone marrow transplant, expanding access to life-saving stem cell therapy close to home. We continuously integrate best practices, emerging research, and the latest advances to ensure every child receives the highest standard of pediatric hematology-oncology care in our community.

To learn more about how you can support the Dell Children's food pantry, click here;https://give.supportdellchildrens.org/campaign/790157/donate.