Highlands-Cashiers Hospital Donates to Local Food Pantries

Written By: Luke Osteen | Issue: Whats News

Just in time for Christmas, Highlands-Cashiers Hospital is repaying the generosity of the Plateau with its own enormous gifts to a pair of institutions dedicated to serving the needy – The International Friendship Center’s Food Pantry (serving Highlands and portions of Macon County) and Fishes & Loaves, which serves Cashiers and Southern Jackson County.

“We could bear-ly contain our excitement when it was announced today that Highlands-Cashiers and Eckerd Living Center had won not only our Division-wide Healthy Food For Healthier Tomorrows Canned Food Sculpture Competition, but also the competition among all HCA Healthcare facilities nationwide,” said Tom Neal, HC Hospital CEO and Chief Nursing Officer. “Our win translated into $35,000 for two local food pantries. Checks for $17,500 were presented Wednesday, December 20, to both The International Friendship Center’s Food Pantry in Highlands and Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry in Cashiers and Jackson County. These funds will go a long way in helping these two organizations support those in need in our communities.

“Our sculpture of Dr. Bear tied into our recent Teddy Bear Hospitals. At these seven events, more than 700 teddy bears were donated to children in the area. Our hope was to bring some smiles and joy, but also, we hope we might have inspired some of the next generation of doctors and nurses.

“Many thanks to those who donated food during the Healthy Food for Healthier Tomorrows Food Drive and to our amazing team of volunteers who offered their time and talents to bring “Dr. Bear” to life!”

We are over the moon grateful for this gift from the HCH, said International Friendship Center Executive Director TJ Smith. “This year we have seen 110 percent increase in pantry use over last year, and across the state of North Carolina, pantries have seen an average increase of 24 percent. As you might guess, that increase equates to a larger financial burden for our pantry mission to keep pace with the need. So, a gift like the one we received from HCH really is a Godsend.

“Our pantry is special in that we are a client-choice pantry and one that works hard to keep our shelves and coolers stocked with healthy food as well as culturally-attentive foods for our Hispanic communities. We keep fresh produce on hand as well as meat proteins as well as staples like milk and eggs. Our perspective is that we want to not only help folks lower their grocery bills, but also provide food that is nutritious for their families. That goal is not always the least expensive in the short term, but it does much to help minimize health issues associated with diet in the long term. Again, support like what we received from HCH is key to our ability to succeed in that endeavor.”

Fishes & Loaves Executive Director Larry Morris echoed that excitement.

As outlined by The Laurel’s Donna Rhodes in our soon-to-be-published Winter 2024 Issue, Fishes & Loaves was looking for a generous level of support from the community. Their building’s floor is collapsing. Freezer cases, equipment, refrigerators are slowly sinking, making thresholds and doorways lopsided toe-stumpers. 

It won’t be long before shifting floors, walls, and cabinets will make daily duties impossible. The time has come to pour a real floor of concrete that will literally ground the building for decades to come.

Fishes & Loaves’ Morris, says, “While our commitment is to feed those in need as usual, our routines are impeded by sinking floorboards. The repairs will make it hard to distribute food during December’s busy-ness. Temporarily, we are moving our operation into the old thrift store to bypass the floor problems. We will be doing-what-we-normally-do with no shut-down.”

The work is underway and will take three to six months to complete, finishing no later than early June, assuming weather and materials cooperate.

Just in time for all that work, HC Hospital’s grant is a true Christmas Miracle. But there’s still a critical need for funds from the community.

F&L’s plea for financial help is necessary for obvious reasons, but they do have grant money and contributions in the coffers. The cost of the additional 300 square feet of floor space, rebuilding and adding a cover over the exterior ramp and the work on replacing the floor is estimated at $300,000. They could manage half, but there is always concern about running out of money for unexpected challenges like this.

Banked money is there to buy food for distribution, especially during winter months when work and pay are scarce. To keep a financial cushion on hand, additional grants and contributions are always welcomed. F&L receives donations as well as volunteers through 11 local supportive Churches.

You’ve got to sing F&L’s praises. All workers are volunteers. No one receives payment. And local businesses, like our local Ingles, sell food to F&L at discount and sometimes cost.  Additionally, the Farmer’s Market donates food occasionally, and they allow F&L to buy produce at their cost.

The board is excited about F&L’s new floor – and new philosophy. Instead of handing out random foodstuffs to clients, F&L now gives recipients personal choices. That eliminates food waste and adds to clients’ self-satisfaction.

Larry closes with this promise, “Because of constant use, it’s evident F&L’s building needs some TLC. We want it to remain functional and well used in years to come. Through the challenges of floor cost, inflation (food this year is three times the cost of last year), and the pandemic, we’ve discovered someone always steps up. Thank you, Community!”

Inquire about Fishes & Loaves, a 501(c)(3) organization, at fishesandloavescashiers.org. Please consider a generous donation by year’s end. 

Thought for the Day: If you’re going to take a giant step forward, it might as well be on a new, solid floor.