HCA HealthONE Aurora tackles food insecurity
Aurora, Colo. — Food insecurity affects nearly 50 million people in the U.S. each year, posing a major health concern. Beyond those officially classified as food insecure, millions more depend on food banks, pantries and community organizations to access affordable, nutritious food for their families.
At HCA HealthONE, nutrition security is a core component of how we help our patients and community take steps toward a healthier tomorrow. According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, food insecurity can raise the risk of obesity, chronic illnesses and developmental issues in children. We want to break the cycle of food insecurity and chronic illness with targeted nutrition interventions.
In November, HCA HealthONE, part of HCA Healthcare, hosted its fifth annual Healthy Food for Healthier Tomorrows Food & Nutrition Drive to support access to nutritious food. Ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, HCA HealthONE hospitals participated in the food drive to provide thousands of nutritious meals to community organizations in Metro Denver. Hospitals were encouraged to use their creativity to construct sculptures with the donated food for a chance to earn a $10,000 grant from the HCA Healthcare Foundation.
HCA HealthONE Aurora earned top ranks in the food drive, collecting more than 1,600 pounds of non-perishable goods and was named a winner of the food sculpture competition for HCA Healthcare’s Continental Division. The winning sculpture, named “Sweet Slice of Giving,” is a nod to the classic Thanksgiving dessert: pumpkin pie. The collected food and $10,000 grant will benefit Aurora Interfaith, an organization that has been feeding the hungry since 1968. At $0.35 per meal, the $10,000 grant will allow Aurora Interfaith to provide 28,571 meals to the community.
“We’re honored to partner with Aurora Interfaith, whose mission reflects our commitment to the care and improvement of human life,” said Scott Rausch, CEO of HCA HealthONE Aurora. “Our colleagues showed up to ensure our neighbors have what they need this holiday season, and I’m so proud of the impact they’re making beyond the walls of our hospital.”
About Aurora Interfaith
Aurora Interfaith envisions an Aurora where everyone has access to healthy food and tools for self-sufficiency. We operate as a volunteer-driven organization, with over 80% of our workforce comprised of dedicated volunteers. We cultivate a sense of community and belonging, prioritizing care and compassion in all our efforts.
In 2024, Aurora Interfaith served 40,880 individual community members through 436,095 meals, $90,971 in utility assistance payments, and distribution of 184 holiday food kits and 107 homeless emergency kits. We are proud of the significant impact we’ve had on feeding the hungry and providing critical support to the communities of Aurora and Denver. Learn more about Aurora Interfaith.