'I'm hungry:' Holland Bloorview tackles family food insecurity
By Louise Kinross
Studies show the connection between disability and not being able to afford or get healthy food.
Today Holland Bloorview launches the first robust hospital food support program in Canada for its families. It's made possible by a $3 million donation from David and Lynn Coriat and Gary and Donna Slaight through the hospital foundation's Together We Dare campaign.
Data identified that nearly 20 per cent of the hospital's families struggle to afford and access nutritious food.
"I recently saw a caregiver in the hallway who looked stressed and asked if everything was okay," says social worker Sue Osborne. "She put her hand on my arm and simply said, 'I'm hungry.' That moment stayed with me because it showed just how real this need is. Food insecurity can carry stigma, shame and fear, and some caregivers may be reluctant to tell us they're struggling."
Holland Bloorview's new program includes:
-$30 cafeteria food vouchers per day to support parent or caregiver costs during their child's inpatient stay
-Snack bags, with protein-rich items based on parent feedback, for inpatient families
-$60 weekend grocery cards for inpatient families
-Annual grocery cards for eligible outpatient families, between $75 to $200 based on family size
-and in November, cafeteria food vouchers may be extended to outpatient families.
"Over the years, families have told us that the rising cost of living and the added expenses of caring for a child with a disability are making it increasingly difficult to put food on the table," says Jessica Reid, social worker and team lead of our Family Navigation Hub.
"What we hear most often is that access to nutritious, culturally appropriate food is essential to their child's health and well-being. By listening to families and responding to those needs, we're helping reduce stress and ensuring they have the support they need to focus on their child's care."
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