CHoR Receives Grant from Rite Aid Healthy Futures to Improve Food Access and Racial Equity 

Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU received a $25k Connecting Communities grant in 2022 from Rite Aid Healthy Futures to support the Food as Medicine program.

“It’s not about looking at a child as a snapshot, but instead as a movie over time. We are committed to addressing food insecurity—setting the stage for a child’s full lifespan by addressing social determinants of health in a comprehensive fashion.” 

– Dr. Shari Barkin, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics and Physician-in-Chief of CHoR  

With the vision of creating healthier, more equitable neighborhoods, Rite Aid Healthy Futures has provided more than $4.5 million in grant funding to leading children’s hospitals across the country, giving them additional resources to address hunger and food insecurity through innovative, community-rooted initiatives. A total of 42 hospitals serving Rite Aid’s 17-state footprint received grants ranging from $25,000 to $300,000 through Healthy Futures’ Connecting Communities signature initiative. Visit www.RiteAidHealthyFutures.org to learn more.

Rite Aid Healthy Futures is not the only program eager to fund food insecurity for CHoR. This fall the Junior Board of Children’s Hospital Foundation is hosting their annual Ball and proceeds will help the CHoR team address food insecurity through screening and on-site food distribution in the Children’s Tower.

The 60th Annual Children’s Hospital Foundation Ball presented by Davenport & Company LLC will take place on Friday, November 3. To donate, purchase a ticket or learn more visit: chfball.org.