Food is a vital component of health. In fact, an estimated 40% of health outcomes are influenced by social drivers of health, which includes food security.
 
Aurora Medical Center - Bay Area teammates came together to help the homeless and the local food pantries in an effort that brought in a sizable amount of hygiene items and food donations that were distributed to food pantries in Marinette and Menomonee counties. 
 
Efforts included an onsite "Help for the Homeless Hygiene Drive" at which just over six large boxes of hygiene items were collected with an estimated value of $450 per box! Boxes were located at the clinics, hospitals, and Marinette/Crivitz mobility centers to allow for broad participation. 
 
Additionally, Aurora Medical Center - Bay Area hosted an event that brought Marinette and Menominee county food pantries together to discuss their needs and brainstorm on future initiatives. This led to the hospital hosting a food drive where two large tables of food and paper products were collected and shared with the twelve local food pantries. There were over 500 food items including fresh and canned goods, pantry staples, and cooking essentials.
 
The hospital plans to continue working closely with local food pantries to host more collection drives annually.