HCA Healthcare Commits $2 Million to Strengthen Food Access in Middle Tennessee
HCA Healthcare has announced a significant step toward addressing food insecurity by committing a $2 million grant through the HCA Healthcare Foundation to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. The funding will support the development of Second Harvest’s new “Grow for Good” campus in Nashville, Tennessee—an initiative designed to expand capacity and enhance community services.
This investment comes at a critical time, as Second Harvest has experienced a 46% increase in individuals seeking assistance since 2020. The surge reflects a growing demand for reliable access to nutritious food across its 46-county service area, highlighting the urgent need for scalable, long-term solutions.
Expanding Capacity Through the “Grow for Good” Campus
The new Grow for Good campus represents a transformative step in tackling hunger across Middle Tennessee. Once completed, the facility will more than double the organization’s current capacity, thanks to expanded warehousing and advanced cold storage capabilities. These improvements will allow Second Harvest to store and distribute more fresh and perishable food items, ensuring families receive healthier options.
Beyond food distribution, the campus is envisioned as a comprehensive community hub. It will provide space for a range of supportive services, including healthcare partnerships, nutrition education programs, and workforce development initiatives. By integrating these services, the campus aims to address not only immediate hunger but also the underlying factors that contribute to food insecurity.
The design emphasizes collaboration, bringing together community partners under one roof to deliver holistic support. This approach ensures families can access essential resources while building pathways toward long-term stability and improved health outcomes.
Addressing a Growing Need Across Communities
Food insecurity remains a pressing issue in Middle and West Tennessee. The sharp increase in demand since 2020 underscores the economic and social challenges many families continue to face. For many households, access to consistent, nutritious food can significantly impact overall well-being, educational outcomes, and long-term health.
HCA Healthcare’s investment is aimed at bridging this gap by strengthening infrastructure and expanding outreach. By supporting Second Harvest’s growth, the initiative will enable the organization to reach more communities and deliver services more efficiently.
Virginia Tenpenny, Vice President of Community Engagement for HCA Healthcare and President of the HCA Healthcare Foundation, emphasized the importance of this effort. She noted that families across Middle Tennessee deserve dependable access to healthy food and highlighted the organization’s commitment to improving community health through strategic partnerships.
A Longstanding Partnership Making an Impact
The collaboration between HCA Healthcare and Second Harvest spans more than 25 years, reflecting a shared commitment to addressing hunger and supporting vulnerable populations. Over the years, this partnership has led to several impactful programs and initiatives.
One notable example is the School Food Pantry Program, which provides students and their families with consistent access to food directly within school settings. This initiative has become a vital resource for many households, ensuring children can focus on learning without the burden of hunger.
Additionally, the partnership includes monthly Mobile Markets hosted at TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center. These events bring fresh food directly into communities, making access easier for individuals who may face transportation or financial barriers.
Another innovative effort is the Food Is Medicine intervention program. This pilot initiative integrates nutritious food into healthcare delivery, allowing patients experiencing food insecurity to receive medically tailored meals alongside their treatment. By addressing nutrition as a key component of health, the program demonstrates how healthcare and food access can work hand in hand.
HCA Healthcare employees have also played an active role in supporting Second Harvest. Since 2018, colleagues have contributed more than 14,600 volunteer hours, showcasing a strong culture of community engagement within the organization.
Leadership Perspectives on Community Impact
Nancy Keil, President and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, highlighted the broader significance of the investment. She emphasized that access to a steady food supply can be life-changing for families, affecting everything from health to financial stability.
According to Keil, the $2 million grant is about more than constructing a new facility—it represents a commitment to building a more responsive and compassionate system of care. The Grow for Good campus will enable Second Harvest to expand its reach and better serve communities in need, reinforcing the organization’s mission to ensure no one goes hungry.
She also expressed deep appreciation for HCA Healthcare’s continued partnership, noting that long-term collaboration is essential for creating sustainable change.
Volunteerism at the Core: “We Show Up for Our Communities”
The announcement of the grant coincides with the launch of HCA Healthcare’s annual “We Show Up for Our Communities” initiative, held in recognition of National Volunteer Month in April. This nationwide effort mobilizes employees to contribute their time and expertise to local organizations, further strengthening community ties.
During last year’s initiative, more than 12,500 HCA Healthcare colleagues volunteered approximately 39,000 hours across 630 organizations. Over the course of the year, employee volunteerism exceeded 350,000 hours, supporting more than 10,000 charitable organizations through both service and donations.
This culture of giving back is a cornerstone of HCA Healthcare’s mission, demonstrating a commitment not only to patient care but also to the broader well-being of the communities it serves.
A Legacy of Giving Through the HCA Healthcare Foundation
Since its establishment in 1998, the HCA Healthcare Foundation has played a pivotal role in advancing community health initiatives. Over the years, it has contributed more than $347 million in grants and matching gifts to over 18,500 agencies and organizations.
The Foundation’s efforts are guided by a mission to promote health and well-being while creating meaningful, lasting impact. By supporting nonprofit organizations and fostering partnerships, it continues to address critical challenges such as food insecurity, access to healthcare, and community development.
Building a Healthier Future Together
The $2 million grant to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee reflects a broader vision of creating healthier, more resilient communities. By investing in infrastructure, expanding services, and fostering collaboration, HCA Healthcare and its Foundation are helping to ensure that families have access not only to food but also to the resources they need to thrive.
As the Grow for Good campus takes shape, it stands as a symbol of what can be achieved through partnership, innovation, and a shared commitment to community well-being. Through continued efforts in volunteerism, philanthropy, and collaboration, HCA Healthcare and Second Harvest are working together to build a stronger, healthier future for Middle Tennessee.
About HCA Healthcare
Nashville-based HCA Healthcare is one of the nation’s leading providers of healthcare services comprising 190 hospitals and approximately 2,500 ambulatory sites of care, including surgery centers, freestanding ERs, urgent care centers, and physician clinics, in 19 states and the United Kingdom. With its founding in 1968, HCA Healthcare created a new model for hospital care in the United States, using combined resources to strengthen hospitals, deliver patient-focused care and improve the practice of medicine. HCA Healthcare has conducted a number of clinical studies, including one that demonstrated that full-term delivery is healthier than early elective delivery of babies and another that identified a clinical protocol that can reduce bloodstream infections in ICU patients by 44%. HCA Healthcare is a learning health system that uses its approximately 47 million annual patient encounters to advance science, improve patient care and save lives.
About Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee
For nearly 50 years, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee has dedicated itself to nourishing and empowering their neighbors so they can thrive. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Second Harvest implements sustainable solutions to food insecurity through a strategically selected network of more than 600 partners across 46 counties in Middle and West Tennessee. Our partners include food pantries, congregate meal sites, shelters, childcare facilities, senior centers, group homes, and youth enrichment programs. For more information about Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, its mission, and programs, please visit secondharvestmidtn.org.
