First-ever food pantry for cancer patients opens at Carilion Clinic
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — The Carilion Clinic, Blue Ridge Cancer Care, and Feeding Southwest Virginia partnered to launch the first clinic-based food pantry catered to serving patients battling cancer.
On April 4, organizers and staff held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the new milestone. Located at Carilion Clinic’s Cancer Center, the facility is a shared space where patients can consult with top oncologists from both medical institutions.
Organizers said this initiative aims to provide crucial nutritional support trailers to the specific needs of cancer patients.
“It’s extremely important to the patients that live here it is important to Carilion Clinic, to the Blue Ridge Cancer Center, and Feeding Southwest Virginia, because today, patients can get food resources through their food pantry that they need,” said Pamela Irvine, Chief Executive Officer, Feeding Southwest Virginia.
Carilion Clinic requests new Medical Rehabilitation Hospital in Roanoke
The pantry’s shelves are filled with food specifically chosen by Carilion Oncology Dietitian Meredith Kantsios. Along with the help of Feeding Southwest Virginia, staff provided essential food items to stock the pantry and aimed to continue being the primary source of medically tailored food.
Aaron Rivers, the Clinical Team Lead for the Radiation Oncology team at the Carilion Clinic, said they noticed food insecurities in the community and wanted to do something to fight against it.
“It’s important for cancer patients to maintain a high level of nutritional intake. So being able to meet them right here in the clinic to help them combat that is proven to be very helpful for them,” he explained. “If they start getting malnourished they start to miss treatments and that could hurt the overall efficacy of the treatment.”
In addition, Blue Ridge Cancer Care has pledged ongoing funding to ensure the pantry remains well-stocked.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
