Wellstar Mobile Market Program Expands to Feed At-Risk Families

Marietta, Ga. (Feb. 16, 2021) – Wellstar Health System, one of Georgia’s largest and most integrated healthcare systems, and the Wellstar Center for Health Equity have expanded the “Wellstar on Wheels: Mobile Market” program to feed more than 700 Metro Atlanta at-risk families every month across six Georgia counties.

In collaboration with Goodr, the joint initiative addresses food access for vulnerable communities in Wellstar’s service areas and provides re-distribution of food resources for people in need.

The Mobile Market program expansion includes seven pilot community-based locations that will provide free, fresh, and healthy food options monthly to 100 families in need at each location. Through Wellstar Foundation and vital community funding, Goodr will provide food and staffing support for this program, register participants, and provide impact reporting each month. Wellstar will provide program logistical support, participant incentives, nutrition education, and free COVID testing. New community partners will help recruit volunteers and set up food distribution sites in key service areas, including Troup, Fulton, Spalding, Paulding, Cobb, and Douglas counties.

Wellstar selected 2021 Mobile Market community partners with the designated service area include: • Calumet Park Neighborhood Association (Troup) • Carelink of Northwest Georgia, Inc. (Paulding) • Center for Helping Obesity in Children End Successfully Inc. (Fulton) • First Presbyterian Church of Douglasville (Douglas) • McEachern Memorial United Methodist Church (Cobb) • New Mercy Partner Services (Spalding) • Roswell Organization for Community Development (Fulton)

“Our communities are more food insecure than ever before with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Shara Wesley, executive director, Wellstar Center for Health Equity. “By creating equitable and consistent food access points with healthy options, Wellstar hopes to break down barriers that create nutrition disparity and food insecurity, while enhancing the wellness of the people and communities we serve.”

Launched Nov.14, 2020, the “Wellstar on Wheels: Mobile Market” program aims to address food insecurity with a routine and reliable food source in the communities served by Wellstar. Clients are pre-registered for the events and are able to choose items that are culturally sensitive and appealing to their households. To adhere to the CDC's social distancing measures, Wellstar’s food distribution partner Goodr has revamped its traditional pop-up experience to provide a quick, safe way for families to walk or drive through the event and select free groceries. To address the need for accessible COVID-19 testing, the Wellstar Community Health team and selected community partners will provide clients with PCR tests.

According to Feeding America, more than 1 million Georgians struggle with hunger, and approximately 400,000 are children. Funded by the Wellstar Foundation, the Mobile Market program serves targeted populations that are at higher risk for food insecurity, such as children, senior adults and minority communities. Access to healthy food choices addresses a salient and vital community need that impacts health and wellbeing – a disparity that Wellstar’s Center for Health Equity is focused on alleviating with grassroots initiatives that deliver on “More than healthcare. PeopleCare.”

"Wellstar continues to build on our longstanding legacy of improving the future and quality of healthcare in Georgia," said Julie Teer, senior vice president, Wellstar Health System and president of the Wellstar Foundation. "Through the generous support of the community and our work with partnering organizations, Wellstar has committed to enhancing health equity across the state."

ABOUT GOODR

At Goodr, we believe that hunger isn’t a scarcity issue. It’s a logistics issue. Even with many social programs that aim to end hunger, the current food supply chain ecosystem in the United States has failed to solve this problem which has grown into a national epidemic. Every year in the United States, we waste over 80 billion pounds of edible food, yet 42 million people are suffering from food insecurity. We believe the solution is simple: Feed more, waste less. Goodr solves hunger through redistribution with services that include: Surplus food donations, organics recycling, food delivery and popup grocery stores. The Goodr model aims to provide a triple-win solution by improving an organization’s bottom line through charitable tax donations, reducing its greenhouse emissions from landfills, and getting its edible surplus food to local communities in need.

ABOUT THE WELLSTAR FOUNDATION

For more than 30 years, the Wellstar Foundation has been at the forefront of securing life-saving resources for Wellstar Health System, one of the largest and most integrated health systems in Georgia. As a not-for-profit, donations from individuals, businesses and community organizations help Wellstar to realize its vision of delivering world-class healthcare. The Foundation directs every dollar donated toward initiatives that advance the level of healthcare provided to the communities Wellstar serves through improved patient services and assistance for individuals in need. To learn more, visit Wellstar.org/foundation or call 770-956-GIVE (4483).

ABOUT WELLSTAR HEALTH SYSTEM

At Wellstar, people are at the center of everything we do. By listening actively to what people want, need and expect from their healthcare, Wellstar is able to provide “More than Healthcare. PeopleCare.” — at every age and stage. Nationally ranked and locally recognized for our personal, high-quality care, inclusive culture, and exceptional doctors and team members, Wellstar provides access to compassionate, high-quality care through our: 11 hospitals; 300+ medical office locations; 9 cancer centers; 74 rehabilitation centers; 3 hospice facilities; 1 retirement village; 29 imaging centers; 16 urgent care locations; and 5 health parks. As one of the largest and most integrated healthcare systems in Georgia, Wellstar is growing our services, footprint, capabilities, and ability to meet evolving patient needs. Our passion for people extends into the communities we serve. As a not-for-profit health system, we thoughtfully reinvest annually in prevention and wellness programs, as well as charity care for eligible patients. Our Wellstar Foundation also supports our mission to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve with funding for equipment, services, and programs that provide more than healthcare. To learn more about how Wellstar is always listening, learning, and tailoring care to meet patients’ individual needs, visit Wellstar.org.