LA MESA, Calif. (Nov. 26, 2019) – If you randomly selected seven people in East San Diego County, odds are that one of those people will go home to little or no food, according to the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, a grant recipient of the Grossmont Healthcare District.
Because of this alarming statistic, the Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) combats the chronic, and sometimes deadly, health consequences of poor and unavailable nutrition through nearly $70,000 in grants to the Food Bank, Meals-On-Wheels, and Serving Seniors.
This holiday season, the Grossmont Healthcare District is hosting a food drive in support of local families in need from Friday, November 22 to Friday, December 20. Canned food donations may be dropped off Monday through Saturday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the District’s Conference Center, 9001 Wakarusa Street in La Mesa.
“Hunger exists around every corner in San Diego County,” said James Floros, President and CEO of Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank. “The Grossmont Healthcare District helps provide crucial food insecurity relief to East County families facing the unthinkable decision between paying bills and buying nutritious food. It takes all our caring and generous neighbors to make sure people do not go hungry.”
The $14,000 grant provides resources at the distribution site, Heaven’s Windows in Spring Valley. This distribution site consists of 90 percent fresh produce, nearly 155,000 pounds of which were
distributed to East County residents last year alone.
Heaven’s Windows is a member of San Diego County’s Live Well San Diego initiative, which helps empower residents to take positive actions to improve their health, safety and overall well-being.
The aging population in East San Diego County makes up a good portion of the area’s poor. As such, a full $55,000 in grants support Serving Seniors and Meals-On-Wheels Greater San Diego.
In the past, GHD has funded the purchase of a van to help deliver nearly 100,000 fresh, nutritious meals each year to low-income, home-bound seniors.
“Our delivery volunteers bring not just nourishment of the body, but also the heart and soul,” said Debbie Case, President and CEO of Meals-On-Wheels San Diego County. “Our mental and behavior health often gets overlooked. But there’s a special kind of healing that can only come from seeing a friendly face when you are home-bound and often times, alone. We find our services are especially needed at this time of year.”
Many volunteer and donation opportunities are available to help neighbors in need.
“We encourage folks to give as much as they are able this holiday season,” said Barry Jantz, Chief Executive Officer of the Grossmont Healthcare District. “Everyone can do something to spread a little cheer.”
Area residents can get involved in helping their neighbors in need to stave off cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer by donating time or resources to organizations like The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, Meals-On-Wheels, or Serving Seniors this holiday season.
For more information about the Grossmont Healthcare District holiday food drive: http://bit.ly/37F2NH6
About Grossmont Healthcare District
The Grossmont Healthcare District is a public agency that supports health-related community programs and services in East County. The District formed in 1952 to build and operate Grossmont Hospital. It serves as landlord of Sharp Grossmont Hospital and owns the property and buildings on behalf of East County taxpayers. The district is governed by a five-member board of directors who represent more than 500,000 people residing within 750 square miles.
CONTACT:
Erica Salcuni
Grossmont Healthcare District
esalcuni@grossmonthealthcare.org
Phone: (619) 825-5017
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