Rush University Medical Center has opened a food pantry located within its emergency department with the goal of ensuring that every RUSH patient has the resources to support their continued recovery and well-being. The program recognizes that true health encompasses more than just medical interventions, but also access to fundamental needs such as nutrition.
On April 22, this groundbreaking initiative was launched to address the pressing issue of food insecurity among our patients. It's an addition to the Food is Medicine-Veggie Rx program, which has distributed nearly 1.8 million pounds of food to West Side communities.
“We aim to bridge the gap between medical treatment and food insecurity.”
Having a food pantry located within the emergency department further strengthens the link between nutrition and health. This initiative is designed to serve as a stopgap for patients to access nutritious foods and get connected to longer-term services.
“We can ensure that every patient has access to healthy and fulfilling foods,” said Julia Bassett, director of the Food is Medicine-Veggie Rx program at RUSH.
Social determinants of health screenings will be conducted by community health workers, who will be able to engage with patients, identify those who are food insecure, and connect them with programs like the Food is Medicine-Veggie Rx program.
The pantry will be stocked with a variety of produce and shelf-stable foods, available to patients at discharge. The produce will be supplied by community partner Dion's Chicago Dream, a nonprofit combatting food security in Chicago.
“We are contributing to the long-term health and stability of our community and ensuring that our impact extends beyond the walls of our hospital.”
Dion Dawson executive director of Dion’s Dream, spoke about the partnership with RUSH at the event. “It’s not only a dream come true," Dawson said, "but it’s really about the accountability to patients and the community.”
Integrating this food pantry within the ED facilitates immediate access to food resources and allows staff to identify and assist those in need discreetly and efficiently.
“We aim to bridge the gap between medical treatment and food insecurity,” said Ted Corbin, MD, MPP,FACEP, chairperson of the Department of Emergency Medicine, “ensuring that patients receive the care they deserve but also the nutrition essential for healing when not otherwise accessible.”
“It’s not only a dream come true, but it’s really about the accountability to patients and the community.”
This initiative reflects RUSH’s deeper commitment to holistic care. By addressing critical social determinants of health such as food security, it aims to improve patient outcomes and enhance quality of life.
RUSH also hopes to strengthen its bond with the community and showcase its dedication to medical care alongside the social support systems that are essential for comprehensive healthcare. “We are contributing to the long-term health and stability of our community,” Bassett said, "and ensuring that our impact extends beyond the walls of our hospital.”
