Feeding the hungry: Innovations in nutrition and health
Encounter at Catholic Charities
As we enter 2025, it’s clear that the fight against hunger and malnutrition is not just about feeding people — it’s about creating lasting solutions that empower individuals, families, and communities to thrive.
At Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri, we’ve embraced a variety of innovative approaches to address hunger, improve nutrition and promote health.
From our food pantry to community garden, nutrition education and collaborative partnerships, we’re making a real, tangible difference in the lives of our neighbors.
One of the most rewarding aspects of our work is seeing how these initiatives create lasting change, not just in terms of food distribution, but by addressing the root causes of hunger and improving overall health outcomes.
And with the help of our amazing partners, including SSM Health, MU Extension, Lincoln University and others, we are extending our reach even further to ensure that no one in our community is left behind.
SSM Hope and Healing project
One of the key initiatives we’ve been proud to be a part of is the SSM Hope and Healing Project.
In collaboration with SSM Health, we have expanded our efforts to ensure that those who come to SSM clinics and the SSM hospital for care also have access to food that supports their health and wellbeing.
Through this project, we provide bags of shelf-stable food — enough to last two days — to patients and families who are facing food insecurity.
These bags are distributed at various SSM Health facilities, including local clinics and SSM hospital, where the need is greatest.
What started as an important way to help those coming in for care has grown into a vital service.
Once patients receive treatment, especially those in vulnerable health situations, they may face challenges in accessing nutritious food once they leave the hospital or clinic.
By providing them with shelf-stable food, we help ease some of the burden they might face while recovering, and we ensure that they have nutritious options as they focus on healing.
In response to the needs of our community, we also expanded this project to include a local dialysis clinic.
Dialysis patients are often among the most vulnerable, with dietary restrictions and limited resources to obtain the food they need.
By providing food bags specifically tailored for their needs, we aim to remove one of the barriers they may face in managing their health and wellbeing.
The expansion of this program to a local dialysis clinic reflects our ongoing commitment to meeting the diverse needs of our community and ensuring that no one is left behind.
Strengthening community partnerships
The SSM Hope and Healing Project is a perfect example of how Catholic Charities is working alongside incredible partners like SSM Health to make a real impact.
Through our partnership, we are able to reach individuals in critical need of both medical care and food assistance.
SSM Health’s commitment to supporting the health and wellbeing of the people we serve is evident in the way we collaborate to provide both physical and nutritional support.
In addition to our work with SSM Health, we are also partnering with Lincoln University on a Community Needs Assessment that will span our 38-county service area.
This assessment is designed to identify gaps in services, better understand the needs of the communities we serve, and uncover new opportunities for us to meet those needs.
Through this collaboration, we hope to tailor our programs and services better to support those most in need, especially as we work toward a future where food insecurity is no longer a barrier to healthy living.
Community garden and nutrition education
Our Community Garden program continues to grow and evolve as well.
By giving neighbors the tools and resources to grow their own food, we’re fostering a sense of self-sufficiency and empowerment.
We recently revamped our garden program to ensure better access and support for participants, as we encountered an increasing number of people interested in not only growing their own food, but also learning important life skills that contribute to better nutrition and health.
Our garden is an important stepping stone in creating a healthier, more resilient community.
Alongside the Community Garden, our partnership with the University of Missouri-Extension to provide nutrition education classes is helping families make healthier food choices, learn how to budget for nutritious meals, and develop cooking skills that support their long-term health.
These classes, which launched in January, will provide the tools and knowledge that can help individuals and families take charge of their nutrition and well-being.
A future focused on health and empowerment
As we continue to address hunger and malnutrition, the key to lasting impact lies in collaboration, education and community-driven initiatives.
Whether it’s the SSM Hope and Healing Project, our Community Garden program, or our future work on the Community Needs Assessment, Catholic Charities is focused on meeting the immediate needs of our neighbors while also working toward long-term solutions.
By expanding our partnerships and services, we are better positioned to create healthier, more resilient communities where individuals not only have access to food but also the knowledge and support needed to thrive.
In the coming year, we remain committed to expanding these efforts, addressing gaps in services, and empowering individuals to take control of their health and nutrition.
Through continued partnerships and a focus on innovative solutions, we are confident that together, we can build a future where every person has access to the nourishment they need to live a healthy, fulfilling life.
Join us in making a difference!
Every volunteer hour, every dollar donated and every partnership brings us closer to ending food insecurity in our community.
Whether it’s volunteering to stock shelves or connecting with neighbors while they shop at the food pantry or digging your hands into the dirt in our Community Garden, your involvement matters.
Get involved today!
Contact us at info@cccnmo.org or call 573-635-7719 to learn how you can help make a difference.
