NYU Langone Hospital-Suffolk in Patchogue has opened a food pantry to help patients facing food insecurity, giving them free groceries and nutrition resources at discharge. The pantry sits in the hospital's main lobby for easy access.

Patients are identified through a Social Determinants of Health questionnaire or through referrals from their care team. "By opening this food pantry, we are helping address food insecurity as a critical social driver of health," said Michael DeCicco, director of patient experience and culture at the hospital.

The program was developed in partnership with Island Harvest, Long Island's largest hunger relief organization, and is funded in part by donations from the Rotary Club of Patchogue and other local philanthropy. Samantha Suro, supervisor of volunteer and concierge services, and Kathryn Lang, DNP, RN, vice president of nursing and patient care services, also helped lead the effort.

The pantry follows a patient clothing closet the hospital opened earlier this year, part of a broader push to address social factors that affect patients' health. Read the full announcement →

Source: NYU Langone Health