CMU Health launches pilot food pantry initiative to support expectant mothers

SAGINAW, Mich. – CMU Health launched a new food pantry initiative at its Women and Children’s Center in Saginaw to combat food insecurity among expectant mothers participating in its CenteringPregnancy® program. This project, developed in partnership with Eastern Michigan Food Bank, is funded by a $5,000 grant from Molina Healthcare, aimed at improving maternal and infant health outcomes.

“With the cost of essential items on the rise, this pantry aims to alleviate financial burden on patients, allowing them to focus on their well-being during pregnancy,” said Kelly Ellis, women’s health nurse practitioner at CMU Health and CenteringPregnancy® coordinator. “By providing access to healthy food, we hope to reduce risks associated with poor maternal nutrition, such as low birth weight and other complications.”

The program responds to 2021 data from Feeding America, which reports that more than 13% or nearly 26,000 residents of Saginaw County cannot consistently afford or access enough food to live a healthy lifestyle.

Patients attending a CenteringPregnancy® session, located at 1000 Houghton Ave., will receive a bag of healthy food items, designed to support their journey toward a healthier pregnancy and promote long-term health for their child.

“We understand healthy mothers lead to healthy babies and contribute to a thriving family and stronger community,” said President and CEO Samuel Shaheen, MD, of CMU Medical Education Partners. “With this program, we’re offering emergency food assistance that is available right at the patient’s visit with us.”

Ellis and the CMU Health team hope to secure additional funding to expand and sustain the initiative.

For more information, contact the CenteringPregnancy® team at 989-746-7500.