Extending Care to Families through the CSH Family Food Voucher Program
Children’s Specialized Hospital (CSH) strives to eliminate as many barriers to health as possible for our patients, including ensuring that their caregivers can be active participants in their recovery. The dedicated staff at CSH understands the stress that families are under when their child is in the hospital and continually works to implement and improve programs that ensure the entire family is considered part of the patient's care plan. The Family Food Voucher Program is just one of many ways that CSH supports parents and caregivers while they're with their children in the hospital.
It is estimated that one in seven Americans has experienced food insecurity during their lifetime. Over 60% of CSH patients are of low to moderate income levels and receive some form of public assistance. Food insecurity is an issue for many of our families under normal circumstances, and it is further intensified when their child is in the hospital. The average stay for kids at the CSH New Brunswick inpatient hospital is 30 days and most parents stay with their child at for the entire duration. Many cannot afford takeout or restaurant meals daily and would go without eating.
The Family Food Voucher Program at CSH was created to play a part in easing some of the hardships that our patients’ families are facing while their children are in our care. Each family receives three food vouchers per day, redeemable at multiple hospital cafes on the campus, and the program in total distributes over 30,000 food vouchers annually. The vouchers are greatly appreciated by families with children at CSH and are proving to help sustain them throughout their child’s stay.
"The Family Food Voucher Program was a lifesaver for the mom of a six-month old baby admitted to our hospital for cardiac issues," said Denver Quinn, MSW, LSW, Patient Care Coordinator at Children's Specialized Hospital. "The mom and baby were homeless upon arrival at CSH. Having access to meals every day helped the mom stay focused so she could learn the training she would need to bring her baby home."
Programs like the Family Food Voucher Program, which extend beyond critical medical care, are made possible by the generosity of donors. The Family Food Voucher Program is supported by generous grants from The Provident Bank Foundation, RiteAid Healthy Futures, and Wakefern Food Corp. Each of these organizations plays a crucial role in making a meaningful impact on the communities that they serve.
“We are so grateful for the support of these organizations that enhances our ability to deliver the best outcomes to patients at Children’s Specialized Hospital,” said Alissa Memoli, President and Chief Development Officer at Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation. “Together, we are making an immediate impact on the lives of kids and families in our communities.”
Programs like The Family Food Voucher Program are made possible by the generosity of donors who support the hospital's greatest needs. Give today to make a lasting impact on the lives of kids and families in your community.