HCA Healthcare strengthens nutrition security with record 1.1 million meal donations

Each year, an estimated 47 million people in the United States face food insecurity, struggling with hunger and its impact on health and well-being, according to Feeding America. At HCA Healthcare, this moves us to act.

As part of our commitment to strengthening the health of the communities where we serve, our colleagues and the HCA Healthcare Foundation work year-round to support local food banks, pantries and soup kitchens – through volunteer service, financial contributions and in-kind donations.

This holiday season, we continued that commitment with our annual Healthy Food for Healthier Tomorrows Food and Nutrition Drive. Thanks to the incredible generosity of colleagues across the country, we provided 1,162,108 nutritious meals to food banks in the communities we call home. These contributions included non-perishable items and financial donations to help purchase perishable healthy essentials like milk, fresh fruit and vegetables.

This record total reflects something bigger than numbers – it’s how we show up. It demonstrates the growing dedication of our HCA Healthcare family to support nutrition security and strengthen the wellbeing of our communities.

The more than 1 million nutritious meals provided to families in need this year came from a variety of generous contributions including:

• 84,697 meals donated directly by colleagues
• 193,632 meals funded through colleague charitable donations
• 883,779 meals made possible by HCA Healthcare hospitals and divisions and $170,000 in grants from the HCA Healthcare Foundation

Sculpting healthier tomorrows

As part of our Healthy Food for Healthier Tomorrows Food and Nutrition Drive, hospitals across HCA Healthcare’s network of care were encouraged to get creative by building sculptures from donated food items before delivering them to local food banks. These imaginative displays not only showcased the generosity of our colleagues but also underscored the collective spirit driving our commitment to nutrition security.

Each division sculpture winner received a $10,000 grant from the HCA Healthcare Foundation to benefit a food bank serving their hospital’s community. To amplify the impact, an additional grant was awarded to the top three division winners, further strengthening support for food banks in their local communities.

This year, 13 HCA Healthcare divisions submitted sculptures – each one a reflection of the compassion, creativity and dedication of our colleagues nationwide.

First place: Good Samaritan Hospital’s Can ‘We Show Up’ House

HCA Healthcare’s Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose, California, earned top honors this year with a sculpture inspired by the beloved home from Disney-Pixar’s Up. Just as Carl and Ellie’s house symbolizes love, adventure and steadfast support, the hospital’s creation reflects how Good Samaritan Hospital and HCA Healthcare “show up” for their community in meaningful ways.

The life-sized Can ‘We Show Up’ House structure – 10 feet wide, 10 feet long and six feet tall – captured the charm of the iconic home. Hospital colleagues incorporated the film’s vibrant balloons and even included “Doug,” the loyal companion portrayed by one of the hospital’s pet therapy animals. Together, these elements symbolize how nourishment, stability and compassion can lift individuals and families, much like the balloons lifted Carl’s house toward new possibilities.

In recognition of their efforts, Good Samaritan Hospital was awarded an additional $25,000 for first place, donating a total of $35,000 in grants to West Valley Community Services.

Second place: Rapides Regional Medical Center’s Hunger is No Day at the Beach sculpture

HCA Healthcare’s Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria, Louisiana, earned second place for their creative sculpture, Hunger is No Day at the Beach, along with an additional $10,000 grant, $20,000 in total, to donate to a local food bank of their choice. The concept was inspired by a simple truth: hunger doesn’t take a vacation – and neither does compassion.

To bring their vision to life, the team collected 2,600 pounds of toasted oat ring cereal for the Food Bank of Central Louisiana, using the boxes as the building blocks of their sculpture. With their award, Rapides Regional Medical Center chose to further support families in their community by directing the grant to the Food Bank of Central Louisiana – extending the impact of their creativity and generosity well beyond the display itself.

Third place: HCA Florida Memorial Hospital’s St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum

HCA Florida Memorial Hospital earned third place for their sculpture, St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum – a tribute to one of Florida’s most iconic landmarks. The real 165-foot lighthouse, first lit on October 15, 1874, still guides ships along the coast of St. Augustine, the “nation’s oldest city.” The lighthouse theme reflects the hospital’s commitment to serving as a steady presence in the community, especially as HCA Florida Memorial Hospital prepares to open a new freestanding emergency room in St. Augustine in the coming year.

A team of 40 colleagues brought the 15-foot-tall structure to life using thousands of donated food items, all of which will support families across the region. The sculpture featured rotating windows and dual beacons of light at the top, adding movement and authenticity to the display. Their creativity and dedication earned them an additional $5,000 grant, $15,000 in total donations to St. Johns Food Pantry – ensuring their lighthouse continues to shine beyond the competition.

Full list of HCA Healthcare division sculpture winners