Newport Hospital and Health Services received the Washington State Hospital Association’s 2018 Community Health Leadership Bronze Award for its innovative approach to addressing food disparities in local children living in Pend Oreille County in Washington and western Bonner County in Idaho.

The association gives the Community Health Leadership Award annually to health care organizations that are serving their community’s broader health needs in innovative and lasting ways. The award was presented during the association’s Annual Member Meeting on Oct. 11, 2018, at the Seattle Marriott Waterfront.

“Historically, hospitals were thought of only as places where people went when they were acutely ill or hurt. Hospitals still provide critically important acute care, but they offer much more to their communities,” WSHA President & CEO Cassie Sauer said. “Hospitals like Newport Hospital and Health Services are valuable community partners, working in collaboration with community groups to make residents healthier.”

“This year’s award winners showcase a diverse array of programs that serve their communities in unique ways, helping vulnerable populations, increasing access to care and working to improve overall wellbeing,” said Nancy Gorshe, chair of WSHA’s Hospital Governing Boards Committee. “We are very proud of programs like the one operated by Newport Hospital and Health Services, which have improved the health of Washingtonians in communities across the state.”

The Healthy Kids Snack Bag Program’s goal is to combat basic food disparities and childhood obesity, as well as increase educational performance among local elementary school children. The program provides them with a week’s worth of nutritious snacks (three snacks/day, seven days/week) and weekly nutrition education materials or healthy snack recipes.

The children receive a backpack filled with snacks every Thursday; as long as they return the empty bag to school the following week, the bag is refilled again. The Foundation also provides nutritious snacks to Pend Oreille Skills Center, Pend Oreille River School, and Pend Oreille Valley Adventist School.

“By addressing food insecurity and general nutrition through the Healthy Kids Snack Bag program, we’re able to reach children and their families in a new way. Our staff couldn’t be more supportive of the project, and this Foundation program is crucial to our community,” Tom Wilbur, CEO and NHHS Foundation President.

Information: newporthospitalandhealth.org