Rite Aid Healthy Futures Supports CHKD’s Family Nutrition Program

Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD) in Norfolk, Virginia, has received a $50,000 grant from Rite Aid Healthy Futures to continue our Family Nutrition Program, a critical program focused on addressing food insecurity.

The grant comes as part of Rite Aid Healthy Futures’ Connecting Communities program, which directs funding to anchor institutions, such as hospitals, that nurture and promote health equity for children, especially those who may already be receiving medical care or living with a serious illness. CHKD is one of 40 hospitals that is receiving funding this fall to support work in children’s health and wellness.

CHKD will use the neighborhood grant to provide low- and moderate-income families with healthy, shelf-stable food and assistance with referrals for food and other needs.

“We are extremely grateful to Rite Aid Healthy Futures for recognizing this need and partnering with us to create healthier futures for our patients,” said Kate Ryan, philanthropy officer at CHKD.

Hunger in the United States soared in 2022, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report that found more than 44 million people lived in food-insecure households last year, a 31 percent increase from the prior year. Hunger among children rose even more – by 45 percent – with more than 13 million children experiencing food insecurity, according to the report.

“Children’s hospitals are on the front lines seeing and treating the profound effects of hunger, food apartheid and systemic racism in communities across our nation every day,” said Matt DeCamara, executive director of Rite Aid Healthy Futures. “Treating food as medicine and engaging communities in programs that stabilize food access, reduce disease prevalence and create local sovereignty builds healthier and more resilient children, families and neighborhoods. It is imperative to act with purpose and urgency to address the food insecurity crisis. We are proud to partner with so many leading health care systems to ensure pathways to many healthier tomorrows.”

This fall’s allocation marks the third round of grant funding Healthy Futures has issued through Connecting Communities signature initiative. Grants are made possible by the generosity of customers who round up their purchase through Rite Aid’s KidCents program.

Rite Aid Healthy Futures, formerly known as The Rite Aid Foundation, is a public charity dedicated to driving change in communities, with an emphasis on underserved neighborhoods, focusing on the areas of health, wellness, race and equity. Visit www.RiteAidHealthyFutures.org to learn more.