Presbyterian Healthcare Offers Free Meals for Children, as Hunger Rates Rise During Pandemic

Demand for free meals offered by community organizations, including hospitals and health systems, has increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s been the case in New Mexico, where child hunger rates are among the highest in the United States.

Presbyterian Healthcare Services, based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is continuing to offer free meals for children at seven hospitals across the state. These hospitals have provided 600% more meals in March, April and May of 2020, compared to the same months in 2019.

Though a partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service Southwest Region and the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department, Presbyterian’s program offers free, nutritious food to children 18 years and younger, regardless of income.

Along with improving access to healthy food through its free meal program for kids, Presbyterian has two Food Farmacy sites, providing free food to identified patients in need.

Read more about these programs offered by Presbyterian.