Doctors’ Notes
BackA Note From Dr. Springer on Food Insecurity, How We’re Helping, and How You Can Help Too
At Kids Plus, we always try to look at the big picture, and to think about how we can help children and families in our practice, and in our communities, be healthier.
One of the most fundamental components of healthy bodies and healthy minds is good nutrition; when children have enough healthy food, they grow better, learn better, sleep better, and experience less stress. But we know that in Western Pennsylvania, approximately 1 in 6 families experience food insecurity. That means that families sometimes don’t have enough food of any variety, and often don’t have access to high-quality, healthy foods.
To try to help families struggling with food insecurity, we’re proud to be partnering with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
You may have already noticed that we’re using evidence-based screening questions about food insecurity on our Pre-Visit Questionnaires for every Well Visit. When a family confidentially identifies this as a struggle, we’re now able to provide direct connections to the good folks at GPCFB, along with information and resources to help address their needs.
We’re also really delighted to now offer an easy way for any member of our Kids Plus Family to help.
Beginning this week, you can bring non-perishable donations to all 3 of our offices, and we’ll make sure they get to the team at GPCFB, who will distribute them locally within the community. (Donations to our Cranberry/Seven Fields office will be distributed in Butler County.)
If you’d like to help, here’s a partial list of items you can donate:
• Canned fruit or veggies (canned in water)
• Canned tuna & chicken
• Breakfast cereal (non-sugared – like Cheerios, Puffed Rice, Shredded Wheat)
• Dry Rice or Pasta
• Peanut Butter
• Baby Foods
(Note: We ask that you not bring fruits canned in sugar, perishable items, open items, or anything in glass containers.)
So, if you’d like to help us help your neighbors in need, please bring some food to share the next time you come in to see us!
Dr. Sarah Springer, a Shareholder in the practice, spearheads our efforts and programs to address food insecurity.