LOS ANGELES -- May 18, 2009 -- Hospital Week 2009 was a little different at St. Vincent Medical Center (SVMC), where employees decided to collect some food for people who are severely affected by the recent economic crisis.
The SVMC employee-sponsored charitable drive raised “tons of food.” Actually, more than two tons of food – 4,283 lbs to be exact – were brought in by employees during Hospital Week. Similac, beans, rice, oatmeal and hot chocolate mix were just some of the foodstuffs donated by associates.
Mary Ann Walker, director of Respiratory Care Services, brought the food drive concept to the 2009 Hospital Week Committee. In addition to the ice cream social and hot dog lunch, she thought that St. Vincent employees would appreciate another sort of opportunity—to help others.
Sr. Patricia Miguel, DC, VP of Mission Integration at SVMC, agreed. “During this economic crisis, we wanted to share some of what we have with those who are in need,” said Sr. Patricia, a Daughter of Charity.
Canned and packaged foods from all food groups were collected and put into pickup trucks on May 18, bound for Our Lady of Talpa Church in East Los Angeles, Mother of Sorrows School in South Los Angeles, St. Vincent Parish in Los Angeles and Casa de Amigos. These organizations serve the unemployed or underemployed people who lack enough resources to feed themselves or their families.
Mary Ann was pleased with the amount of food donated by employees. “At time of weigh-in, the boxes, bags and carts loaded with food just kept coming,” Mary Ann said. “The associates at St. Vincent Medical Center are awesome; they know how to live our Mission and Values promoting healthy families by supplying much needed food to those live in our own community.“
About St. Vincent Medical Center
Providing compassionate healthcare for those who need hope and healing has been the mission of St. Vincent Medical Center for more than 153 years. Located in downtown Los Angeles, St. Vincent is a world-renowned, 366-bed facility, offering comprehensive medical services, including multi-organ transplantation, joint replacement, general orthopaedics, cancer treatment, cardiovascular services, thoracic surgery, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, and world-renowned neurosurgery and neurotology services.
St. Vincent Medical Center is part of the Daughters of Charity Health System, a nonprofit healthcare system spanning the California coast.
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