Oviedo Medical Center on Monday announced a $25,000 grant from the HCA Healthcare Foundation to HOPE Helps Inc. to expand food assistance for Central Florida families facing rising hunger and economic strain.
Oviedo Medical Center, part of HCA Florida Healthcare, said the funding will help HOPE Helps meet increasing demand for food support across the region. The grant is awarded through the Foundation’s Healthier Tomorrow Fund, a $75 million initiative focused on addressing priority community needs and advancing health equity.
Grant Targets Rising Food Insecurity
Hospital leaders said access to nutritious food is a critical driver of long-term health and stability, particularly as more families seek assistance amid higher living costs.
“We are honored to support this grant, which directly addresses an important community need and advances our mission of caring for and improving human life,” said Cameron Howard, chief executive officer of Oviedo Medical Center. “Nutritious food is essential to building a strong foundation for lifelong health.”
HOPE Helps operates a food pantry serving more than 200 families each week at no charge. The pantry provides nonperishable food, fresh produce, meat, and bread four days a week, according to the organization. Demand for services has steadily increased as households struggle with food insecurity and housing instability.
The grant is expected to help sustain and potentially expand pantry operations, ensuring consistent access to healthy food options for individuals and families in need.
Longstanding Community Partnership
HOPE Helps leaders said the funding strengthens a long-term partnership focused on improving community health and self-sufficiency.
“This impactful $25,000 gift from Oviedo Medical Center directly fuels our mission to build a healthier community,” said Joan Faulkner, chief executive officer of HOPE Helps. “We are honored to have such a dedicated long-term partner. Their continued investment in our work proves that when local leaders unite, we can create a lasting, positive impact on the health and quality of life for the families we serve.”
Founded to prevent and reduce hunger and homelessness, HOPE Helps focuses on housing, outreach, prevention, and education. The organization works to equip individuals and families with resources to become self-sufficient, emphasizing both immediate relief and long-term stability.
Hospital officials said partnerships with community-based nonprofits are essential to addressing social factors that influence health outcomes beyond clinical care.
Foundation Expands Health Equity Efforts
The Healthier Tomorrow Fund is one of several initiatives through which HCA Healthcare supports local communities nationwide. The fund prioritizes innovative programs aimed at improving access to care, food security, and overall well-being.
“At HCA Healthcare, we believe partnerships are essential to advancing our mission to care for and improve human life,” said Deb Reiner, president of the HCA Healthcare Foundation. “Partnering with organizations like HOPE Helps allows us to do more for our communities than we can do separately.”
In 2024, HCA Healthcare reported providing charity care, uninsured discounts, and other uncompensated care totaling more than $4.4 billion. The company also incurred $7.2 billion in federal, state, and local taxes and contributed $48.5 million to community organizations during the year, according to the foundation.
Oviedo Medical Center is a 96-bed acute care hospital offering inpatient and outpatient services, including emergency care, surgical services, and women’s health programs. Hospital leaders said community investment remains central to its role as a regional health provider.
