Reading Hospital Nursing Magnet Champions, in partnership with the Greater Berks Food Bank, are coordinating the 2018 Pound Per Person Food Challenge, which is encouraging each of the hospital's 7,000 employees to donate one pound of food.
The hospital's goal is to collect at least 7,000 pounds of non-perishable food for the food bank, which serves more than 60,000 people annually. The hospital has placed food collection boxes throughout its facilities, and it will transport the donations to the food bank on Friday, March 9.
The Greater Berks Food Bank collects, purchases, stores and distributes more than 7 million pounds of food annually to the more than 300 programs that feed the hungry in Berks, Schuylkill and Western Montgomery counties. It provides food directly to individuals as well.
This is seventh year that Reading Hospital is holding its Pound Per Person Challenge. In 2017, the hospital collected 11,460 pounds of food.
Reading Hospital
Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 714-bed hospital that is home to many top-tier specialty care centers, including Reading HealthPlex, McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency Department, Level I Trauma Center and Beginnings Maternity Center, which houses the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 1,000 physicians, specialists, and advanced practice providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across services lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for four consecutive years and received a 5-Star Rating from CMS two years in a row. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.