This holiday season, HCA Healthcare — HCA Midwest Health’s parent company — continued its efforts to fight food insecurity with the second annual company-wide “Healthy Food for Healthier Tomorrows Food and Nutrition Drive.”

For the 2022 food drive, HCA Healthcare hospitals in 13 divisions across the nation were encouraged to get creative and build sculptures with food donated by hospital colleagues before transporting it to local food banks. Hospitals submitted designs to HCA Healthcare for the opportunity to win a top national prize of a $25,000 grant to the winning hospital’s food bank and local prize of $10,000.

As part of the national food drive and competition, Lee’s Summit Medical Center hosted a hospital-wide food drive, building a holiday tree from the cans titled, “Rooted in Our Values.” The cans were designed as a mosaic of the roots, and individual notes from the Lee’s Summit Medical Center family sharing specific motivation for giving back and providing high-quality, patient-centered care were affixed to each can.

One note read, “I care because hunger has a ripple effect, and no one should go hungry.” Another note read, “I care because I love making sure patients are treated like family when they are here.”

As first place winner of HCA Healthcare’s Healthier Food For Healthier Tomorrows Food and Nutrition Drive, Lee’s Summit Medical Center —part of HCA Midwest Health — was awarded grants to local food banks of their choice, which includes Meals on Wheels of Lee’s Summit and Lee’s Summit Social Services.

“The Healthy Foods for Healthier Tomorrows initiative is one that aligns with our overall mission and shows how our colleagues’ commitment to the care and improvement of human life extends beyond the walls of our hospital,” says Lee’s Summit Medical Center CEO John McDonald, FACHE. “Lee’s Summit Medical Center has a rich history of supporting local food banks, pantries and in-kind donations and we are beyond excited to support a healthy community in such an impactful way. Meals on Wheels of Lee’s Summit and Lee’s Summit Social Services are incredible organizations that never fail to step up and help ensure our community’s needs are met.”

Meals on Wheels of Lee’s Summit was created to help ensure elderly and handicapped community residents have access to hot, nutritious and delicious meals, which can help them maintain a healthy diet. The organization has served over 500,000 meals since its inception and currently serves over 350 meals per week.

“We are humbled, honored and appreciative of this gift from Lee’s Summit Medical Center,” says Susie Newsam, board president for Meals on Wheels of Lee’s Summit. “The longevity of our partnership not only strengthens our organization, but also benefits our community.”