Iberia Medical Center Community Food Pantry: Jeanerette. It was a beautiful day to formally dedicate and bless the new IMC food pantry at the Jeanerette Rural Health Clinic. Elected officials, Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce representatives, hospital leadership, clinic staff and patients gathered this morning for the event.
Dionne Viator, IMC CEO, shared some sobering facts about hunger during opening remarks:
44 million people in the United States are food insecure including 13 million children.
People experience food insecurity in every community regardless of size or location.
Hunger can have serious health consequences.
Deacon Roland Jeanlouis, IMC Board of Commissioners President, offered the formal blessing and inspirational words to live by.
The IMC Community Food Pantry was over a year in the making, and was made a priority by hospital administration because of the initiative's alignment with the hospital's mission.
Funds for the pantry were provided in part, by the IMC Foundation. The Berry Family provided funding, fabrication and installation of the pantry.
The pantry is located in front of the Jeanerette Rural Health Clinic, 217 Bourg Street, and provides non-perishable food items and personal care items to persons in need.