CMU Health has started a new food pantry program at its Women and Children’s Center in Saginaw to help pregnant patients access healthy food. The goal is to fight food insecurity and improve the health of mothers and babies.
The pilot program partners with the Eastern Michigan Food Bank and is funded by a $5,000 grant from Molina Healthcare. It supports pregnant women enrolled in the CenteringPregnancy program, which focuses on better pregnancy outcomes.
Kelly Ellis, a women’s health nurse practitioner at CMU Health, said the pantry will ease financial stress for patients. “With prices rising, this pantry helps patients focus on their health during pregnancy,” she said. “Providing healthy food can reduce risks like low birth weight and other complications.”
Food insecurity is a serious issue in Saginaw County. Feeding America reported in 2021 that over 13% of residents—about 26,000 people—struggle to get enough nutritious food.
Pregnant patients attending CenteringPregnancy sessions at the clinic on 1000 Houghton Ave. receive bags of healthy food to support their pregnancy and their children’s future health.
Dr. Samuel Shaheen, president and CEO of CMU Medical Education Partners, said, “Healthy mothers lead to healthy babies and stronger communities. This program offers emergency food help right during the patient’s visit.”
CMU Health hopes to find more funding to keep the program running after the pilot phase.
