Hospital Corporation of America Healthcare (HCA) has selected MANNA FoodBank as a recipient of a $75,000 donation, part of HCA Healthcare’s $1 million commitment to Helene Disaster Recovery. An additional $10,000 will also be donated to MANNA as Mission Hospital’s canned food sculpture took top prize in an HCA Healthcare-sponsored contest.
MANNA FoodBank is a critical resource in Western North Carolina, distributing food to more than 200 partner pantries and other human service community organizations including CareNet in Franklin. Mission Hospital regularly has colleague teams volunteer in their warehouse, which was destroyed during Hurricane Helene.
“Mission Health has been a proud, long-standing partner with MANNA and is honored to contribute to an organization that cares for the needs of people in Western North Carolina, and that is helping to bring food to our community, especially in light of all the loss after the hurricane,” said Greg Lowe, CEO Mission Health.
In addition to the disaster recovery donation, Mission Hospital constructed a sculpture made out of 1,500 pounds of canned food as part of HCA Healthcare’s recent annual Healthy Foods for Healthier Tomorrows Food Drive.
Each year, this friendly sculpture competition among HCA Healthcare hospitals raises awareness about food insecurity that communities are facing while encouraging donations to the colleague food drive that benefits local food pantries. Mission Hospital’s sculpture took the top prize this year in Western North Carolina, bringing an additional $10,000 donation to MANNA Foodbank as a regional partner.
Mission Hospital’s food sculpture this year was a water tanker truck, to commemorate the response of HCA Healthcare and community partners when faced with devastation to the infrastructure. Made of 2,250 cans of fruit and vegetables, which will be donated to MANNA, “Mission Hospital hopes it will remind people that even during difficult times, help is near and that together we can keep each other safe and healthy,” noted Lowe.
Angel Medical Center in Franklin is affiliated with Mission Health System based in Asheville which is owned by HCA Healthcare, based in Nashville, Tenn.
CareNet giving up during holidays
The Macon County Care Network, also known as CareNet, is a non-denominational ministry based in Franklin that has MANNA FoodBank as one of its sponsors and suppliers. MANNA FoodBank provides 25% of food donations for CareNet.
The remaining 75% of CareNet food donations are provided by local businesses and individuals. According to Executive Director Tim Hogsed, both Christmas holiday 2024 monetary and food donations were up a little over last year.
CareNet needs are ongoing throughout the year, not just during the holidays. Visit https://maconcarenet.org/ to learn about how to donate and volunteer.