Kaiser Permanente Downey food donation program helps families and improves the environment

In 2024 alone, Downey Medical Center donated more than 20,000 pounds of food that in turn was distributed to families throughout the surrounding community.

DOWNEY — At a time when food insecurity is common among many families struggling to make ends meet, Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center is taking action in hopes of putting a dent into this unfortunate problem that’s affecting people of all ages throughout the region.

Through a partnership with Food Finders, a food rescue nonprofit with a primary focus of reducing hunger and food waste, Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center is donating excess food from the hospital on a weekly basis that’s helped feed thousands of people.

“Beyond providing high-quality care to our members, Downey Medical Center is engaged in improving the health of our community and the people who live in it,” said Mitchell Winnik,  senior vice president and area manager of Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center.

In 2024 alone, Downey Medical Center donated more than 20,000 pounds of food that in turn was distributed to families throughout the surrounding community, according to Food Finders. That resulted in the distribution of nearly 17,000 meals to food insecure households.

“Through our partnership with Kaiser Permanente, we’ve been able to feed many families who otherwise would find it more difficult to put food on the table,” said Diana Lara, executive director of Food Finders. “Because of that, together, we’ve been able to improve the quality-of-life of many families.”

Downey Medical Center is not the only Kaiser Permanente facility to partner with Food Finders. Kaiser Permanente’s partnership with Food Finders is just one of the ways the health care organization is eliminating food waste in Southern California, minimizing landfill waste, addressing community hunger, and addressing environmental burdens that have a negative impact on community health. In 2024, nearly 55,000 pounds of food was collected from Kaiser Permanente facilities, resulting in nearly 45,800 meals being provided.

In addition to feeding the families, and as we celebrate Earth Day on April 22, the food donation program has also had a positive impact on the environment. Diverting donated food from landfills prevented the release of more than 29,000 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

“This program has been a true example of how we at Kaiser Permanente take important steps to help our community thrive,” said Dr. Laurie Anne Chu, area medical director for Downey Medical Center. “I want to thank Food Finders for their efforts and for allowing us to play a small part in the work they do day in and day out to rescue food and contribute to a greener environment.”