The Reading Hospital Magnet Champions Team coordinated its 13th annual "Piece Per Person" challenge, encouraging hospital employees to donate items to fill Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank's Weekender Program food bags for Reading School District students.
More than 4,000 staff members from nearly 100 departments came together to donate approximately 35,000 non-perishable food items, meeting the goal of eight pieces of food per person.
“We’re always thrilled to participate in this event, and our employees love the opportunity to get a little competitive while helping out the community,” said Rebecca Price MSN, CV-BC, NEA-BC, Nursing Unit Director, and 'Piece Per Person' challenge organizer. “When Helping Harvest reached out about the event, I was excited to take them up on the opportunity to help the children of our community, as were the wonderful people I work alongside.”
Thanks to these donations, Helping Harvest can to provide students with Weekender Program food bags containing two breakfasts, two lunches, and two snacks, for an entire month.
“Whenever an opportunity arises to help the community, our team members are always eager to step in, whether that’s in our hospitals and facilities or not.” Charles F. Barbera, MD, Reading Hospital president and CEO, said, “The way they continuously strive to care for the well-being of this community and its children says a lot about their character. I am routinely reminded of how proud I am of them.”
About Reading Hospital
Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 697-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 50 Best Hospitals for three consecutive years. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.