Norton Children’s prescriptive food pantries expand offerings thanks to CareSource Foundation grant

(Clarksville, Indiana - March 3, 2023) - The CareSource Foundation today announced a grant of $45,000 to Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation that will be split between two prescriptive food pantries located in Clarksville and Jeffersonville, Indiana. This award will support the Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation in expanding their offerings to stock baby supplies, car seats, safe sleep sacks, Pack ‘N Plays, bike helmets, gun locks and healthy food options for patients.

The prescriptive food pantries, led by Norton Children’s’ Prevention and Wellness team, operate with a goal of reducing barriers for families in Clark and Floyd counties to access healthy food, baby necessities and safety supplies. Patients at Norton Children’s Hospital are screened for food insecurity and provided with resources from the pantry as well as directed to long-term community resources.

“While the pantries already offer nutrition support to our patients in southern Indiana, the CareSource donation will allow us to stock other items essential to good health and well-being.”  said Dr. Jill Howell-Berg, pediatrician, Norton Children’s. “We look forward to a long and beneficial relationship with CareSource centered on the whole health of the youngest Hoosiers we serve together.”

According to Feeding America, one in seven children face hunger in the state of Indiana. Food insecurity is often influenced by several factors including income, employment, race/ethnicity, and disability. Norton Children’s prescriptive food pantries will provide Hoosiers with nutritious, shelf-stable food with the hope of transforming the culture of health in children and families.

“At CareSource we know the importance of partnering with local organizations who are already doing great work to keep Hoosiers safe and healthy,” said Steve Smitherman, president of CareSource Indiana. “Supporting Norton Children’s prescriptive food pantries aligns with our mission in improving the overall well-being of our members and the community. We are proud to help increase access to nutritional food and safety equipment for the children and families of southern Indiana.”

Since 2006, the CareSource Foundation has awarded more than $28.5 million to nonprofits across the country that are working to eliminate poverty, provide much-needed services to low-and moderate-income families, and develop innovative approaches to address critical health issues.

About Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation

Norton Healthcare is a leader in serving adult and pediatric patients from throughout Greater Louisville, Southern Indiana, the commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond. The not-for-profit hospital and health care system is Louisville's second largest employer, with more than 18,000 employees, over 1,700 employed medical providers and approximately 2,000 total physicians on its medical staff. The system includes six hospitals (five in Louisville and one in Madison, Indiana) with 1,993 licensed beds, eight outpatient centers, 18 Norton Immediate Care Centers, eight Norton Prompt Care at Walgreens clinics and an expanded telehealth program. It provides care at more than 340 locations throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana. The hospitals provide inpatient and outpatient general care as well as specialty care including heart, neuroscience, cancer, orthopedic, women's and pediatric services. A strong research program provides access to clinical trials in a multitude of areas.