Hospital Food Pantry Network
Program Overview
The Hospital Food Pantry Network is a collaborative initiative led by West Side United to build partnerships between healthcare institutions and local pantries by establishing relationships and pantry-support goals between hospitals and pantries across Chicago’s West Side. Recognizing that food insecurity is a critical social determinant of health, the program seeks to ensure that patients not only receive medical care but also gain access to nutritious food in the same environment where they receive healthcare services.
The program’s unique approach identifies key needs within each participating pantry and helps them connect with a local hospital who can help deliver capacity-building support. From patient referrals, to volunteers, to nutrition curriculum, hospitals have resources that help these vital emergency food providers thrive and better meet client needs.
Key Partners and Impacts
Key partners in the Hospital Food Pantry Network include:
Hospital systems such as Lurie Children’s Hospital, and other West Side providers that support pantry operations.
Community-based food partners, who supply food and identify ways to improve availability of nutritious options.
Philanthropic funders and donors, who help underwrite staffing, supplies, and infrastructure costs.
Key impacts include:
Increased access to nutritious food for patients who screen positive for food insecurity, many of whom face chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or prenatal health risks.
Increased pantry capacity and capabilities, as participating pantries receive volunteers, tools, and funding opportunities through their hospital partners.
Increased healthcare provider engagement, as doctors and nurses now have a direct referral resource when social needs are identified during visits.
This model also strengthens the relationship between hospitals and their surrounding communities by demonstrating institutional accountability to local needs.
Long-Term Vision
The long-term vision of the Hospital Food Pantry Network is to make food access a standard part of healthcare delivery across Chicago. This includes:
Expanding the model across additional hospitals and clinics on the West Side and beyond.
Formalizing screen-and-refer protocols within electronic medical records so providers can consistently identify and address food needs.
Building data systems to track usage, health outcomes, and pantry impact—informing future investments and healthcare policy.
Ultimately, the Hospital Food Pantry Network redefines how healthcare systems can contribute to food equity. It is a step toward a more integrated, humane, and equitable healthcare model, where addressing hunger is considered essential to healing.
