Supplying Security: How Food Pantries Empower Patients with Cancer-Supplying Security_ How Food Pantries Empower Patients with Cancer

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This webinar, hosted by the Association of Cancer Care Centers, focused on how food pantries and screening programs can help address food insecurity among patients with cancer. Moderator Amy Hoke explained that food insecurity is common in cancer care and contributes to financial toxicity, which can lead to missed appointments, rationing food, and poorer treatment outcomes. She emphasized that screening and navigation should be proactive and ongoing.

Three cancer programs shared their approaches:

- <strong>Grandview Health</strong> described how a small suburban center built a pantry without new funding by forming a workgroup, using the Hunger Vital Sign screening tool, and offering immediate help through grocery gift cards, SNAP support, and a discreet on-site pantry stocked largely by staff donations and volunteer support.
- <strong>Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center</strong> shared how an urban program used Epic to integrate screening and referrals, partnered with local food banks, and built a pantry into unused space. They highlighted staffing models, privacy, food safety, and sustainability through grants and food bank partnerships.
- <strong>St. Elizabeth Healthcare</strong> discussed launching a “no questions asked” shopping-style pantry with Free Store Food Bank support, designed to reduce stigma and improve access. They also shared lessons learned about logistics, donations, overflow storage, and the challenge of obtaining nutritional supplements.

During Q&A, speakers addressed eligibility criteria, budgeting, recall procedures, staffing, and tracking use. The webinar closed by encouraging attendees to use available ACCC resources to strengthen financial navigation and food insecurity programs.

Keywords

food insecurity

cancer care

food pantry

screening programs

financial toxicity

patient navigation

Hunger Vital Sign

SNAP assistance

food bank partnerships

financial navigation