Overview
The goal of TidalHealth Nanticoke’s inpatient food closet is to provide nourishment for our food insecure patients.
If admitted patients are very sick and discharged home without enough to eat, it makes it difficult for them to continue their recovery process. While many community food assistance programs exist, it may take a little longer for a patient recovering from a hospital stay to connect to these resources.
How it works
Patients are identified as ‘in need’ as a part of their patient care process. If identified, they receive a food package before being discharged from the hospital. By providing food for up to two weeks, we hope it gives enough time for them to connect to other resources without going hungry during recovery.
This program is for inpatients, which means those admitted overnight to the hospital. Key clinical and social service staff can access the food closet in the event there is an urgent need outside of the inpatient care process.
On a regular basis, we do our best to keep a supply for a rounded diet, collecting low-sodium (salt) and low-sugar products as possible. We provide patients with a stock of items from the following food groups:
- Proteins – Packages, shelf-sustainable meats, and beans
- Vegetables – Canned, low-sodium or no-sodium preferred
- Fruits – Canned or dried
- Grains – Non-sugary cereals, rice, whole wheat pastas, and oatmeal
- Dairy – Canned or powdered milk
Our current needs
- Shelf-sustainable canned meats
- Peanut butter and jelly
- Canned fruits
- Canned milk
- Dried or canned beans
- Low sugar or no sugar cereals (like Cheerios, Chex and Rice Crispies)
- Instant oatmeal
- Low sodium vegetables
- Unsweetened applesauce
- Spaghetti sauce (we are currently stocked on pastas)
- Sugar free instant gelatin (Jell-O)
To make a donation, look for the labeled collection barrel at TidalHealth Nanticoke in the hallway outside the Day Surgery waiting area just past the cafeteria. You can also call us at 302-629-6611, ext. 8950, to ask questions or schedule a larger drop off.
Please do not bring expired items, dented cans, or ripped/opened boxes; we are not allowed to redistribute these.
