Since 1944, Onslow Memorial Hospital has been a beacon of care and compassion for Jacksonville and greater Onslow County. A cornerstone of this care has always relied on listening to the needs of the community and responding with solutions to better care for their neighbors. 

Onslow Memorial Hospital leaders and staff worked with the United Way of Onslow County to organize Children Healthy Eating on the Weekends, or CHEW. The partnership aims to address food insecurity by giving local students easy-to-prepare meals for the weekend. 

The State of the County Health Report (2023)  found food insecurity to be a major challenge, with 13.4% of adults and children in Onslow County being considered food insecure. Children experiencing hunger often suffer from stomachaches, an inability to focus, and frequent absences from the classroom, which can negatively impact their physical ability, behavior, and education.

“Schools do a fabulous job of addressing those food insecurities during the week, Monday through Friday, by providing nutritious meals, but on the weekend, there’s a gap,” said President and CEO of Onslow Memorial Hospital, Penney Burlingame Deal, DHA, RN, FACHE.  “The CHEW program allows for us to fill that gap.” 

Staff and volunteers donated pounds of canned foods, fruits, vegetables, snacks, and other items to pack more than 750 food bags for students. The United Way of Onslow County distributes those bags to 38 local schools. 

North Carolina’s health systems and hospitals activate their resources to meet the needs of their communities. Onslow Memorial Hospital partnered with the United Way as a direct response to the recommendations from the State of the County Health Report and Onslow County Community Health Implementation Plan. As community-based partners, they work together to source donations from community members and distribute food. 

“Hospitals can play a role in supporting healthier communities by really taking a hard look at the social determinants of health. We understand it, we recognize it. But also responding to the impact of those social determinants of health, perhaps responding in a way that transcends traditional health and wellness” said Burlingame Deal. 

Continuing the work as a beacon of care, Onslow Memorial Hospital offers a variety of resources for its community, such as free health screenings, health education and portable gardens through the Bucket Brigade, providing mammograms, and more. 

To see how North Carolina’s hospitals and health systems support healthier communities, click here.