Holy Redeemer Dispenses Food Along with Medical Care

It’s unusual these days for a hospital to run its own food pantry, but the Holy Redeemer Health System has been doing just that for 22 years. The pantry, at Holy Redeemer’s Home Care facility on Townsend Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia, serves residents in need from Philadelphia and Bucks County.

Relying on donations from individuals, grocers, and to some degree Philabundance and the SHARE Food Program of Philadelphia, the Holy Redeemer Pantry hands out over 15,000 pounds of food in an average month (there’s an uptick during the Thanksgiving-Christmas season), serving around 340 households and between 700-800 people.

The pantry, which is run by paid staff and volunteers – some of whom have been with it since its beginning in 1995 – hosts its third annual “Night at the Races” fundraiser April 22 at St. Anselm Church on Dunksferry Road. The event will include food, beverages, and the chance to bet on virtual horses to win prizes. There will also be a silent auction. Beer is included, and other alcohol is BYOB Donation is $25 in advance or $30 at the door.

According to Sister Maryanne King, mission director, the pantry’s existence is aligned with the Sisters of the Holy Redeemer’s mission to help the community, and is a vital part of the health care continuum.

“It’s a necessity. I’d like it to not be a necessity, but until that’s the case, my main goal is preserving human dignity, and focusing on how we treat those who come through our doors,” says King.

Residents who avail themselves of the pantry frequently have other issues besides food insecurity, King adds.

“Many who come in here have housing issues, or emotional problems. I feel we’re feeding their emotional and spiritual needs along with the physical need, and at the same time we try to connect them with other resources to help them.”

The pantry will provide an emergency supply of food to anybody who expresses a need, but only those who complete paperwork and self-report financial need can register for long term, monthly visits. Individuals can pick up pre-assembled bags of dry (e.g. nonperishable) items and cold (perishable) items, or choose the nonperishable items themselves from pantry racks.

As transportation can be an issue for some families, in some cases making getting food a day-long activity, the Holy Redeemer pantry is hoping to offer delivery as needed by the end of the year. The pantry is also working to reduce hospital readmissions by providing a supply of food to patients upon discharge.

“Young women with small children, or mothers-to-be who are seeing an OB/GYN, may be at risk of not having enough food, so we want to help them through this difficult time and hopefully keep them and their infants healthy,” says King.

For Paul Peterson, pantry coordinator, the mission is personal.

“I’ve been hungry in my earlier life, so I know about people needing things. I’m not afraid to help people who need it, and this is the perfect place to do it,” Peterson says. “I’ve been here since 1995, and I’ll be here for as long as they’ll let me.”

To register for Night at the Races, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/n... .