Hospital highlights

Thirty percent of Whitman County residents have income at or below 100 percent of the federal poverty level. One in 16 residents experience food insecurity - when people run out of food, eat less, skip meals, or go hungry, or when they subsist on a nutrient poor diet, because they cannot afford to buy food.

Whitman County food banks receiving funds from the WSDA Food Assistance Program served 4,681 people in need of food last year. These people visited food banks an average of five times throughout the year to get nutritious foods including meats, dairy, produce and grains.

Palouse Cares will sponsor the multi-community event to gather food donations for local food banks Dec. 7. The goal of the non-profit organization is to ensure that children on the Palouse are fed, educated, cared for and supported. More than a third of children in our county are living in poverty.

WHMC is supporting this important community event that impacts the health of our population. We are a food drop-off location from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from now through Dec. 6. In addition, our CARE Team is raising money for our local food bank. So, you may see our employees in sports-related gear on Fridays. They pay for the privilege and the money in turn will go to the food bank.

Please support the Palouse Cares food drive coming up on Saturday, Dec. 7. Volunteers will go door-to-door accepting donations that day and accept contributions at Rosauers.

There will also be silent auction items on display at Rosauers during the week prior to the event. Please support this important event for our community.

Debbie Glass, CEO

Whitman Hospital & Medical Center