Ascension Wisconsin is committed to improving the health and wellness of the communities it serves but understands that creating healthy communities requires a collaborative approach. To improve health by addressing food insecurity, Ascension Franklin started partnering with Hunger Task Force to enroll eligible seniors into its Stock Box service. Starting in June 2019, a monthly supply of free food staples has been distributed through the hospital’s emergency department to community members over the age of 60. 
The collaboration with the Hunger Task Force is unique. Ascension Franklin associates help enroll local seniors in the program and carry the boxes filled with canned fruits and vegetables, juice, cereal, canned and dry milk, peanut butter, canned meat, and cheese into their vehicles. Boxes are picked up the second Tuesday of every month. 
“We’ve loved being able to offer this service to the community,” said Drinka Marinkovic BSN, RN, emergency department supervisor, Ascension SE Wisconsin-Franklin Campus. “We’re incredibly proud of the inpatient and outpatient services we provide at Ascension Franklin but offering access to needed nutritious food is another way to reach our community and our neighbors in a profound way.”