Day Kimball Healthcare (DKH) is pleased to announce a partnership between its hospital-based food pantry, Caitlyn’s Cupboard, and Interfaith Human Services of Putnam’s (IHSP) Food Pantry, Daily Bread.

Caitlyn’s Cupboard was established in late March 2020 to address malnutrition and food insecurity among patients treated in Day Kimball Hospital’s Rose Bove LaRose Cancer Center through the provision of no-cost shelf-stable food and nutritional education. Nearly 135 DKH Cancer Center patients have accessed the food pantry since its opening.

Each patient served receives a three-day supply of non-perishable food for each member of the family, including staple items and healthy snacks. Caitlyn’s Cupboard also provides patients with nutritional information, healthy recipes, and a comprehensive list of local food assistance programs and other community resources.

Through a new partnership with IHSP, on a monthly basis, Daily Bread is supplying Caitlyn’s Cupboard with fruit/vegetable and dairy coupons to be redeemed at local grocery stores. One hundred packets of these coupons were given to eligible Cancer Center patients in the month of March alone. Funding in support of this partnership comes from the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut.

In return, Caitlyn’s Cupboard is offering nutrition education programming to Daily Bread clients to further increase their capacity to adopt healthy food choices and habits. IHSP has also ordered food for the Cupboard from the CT Food Bank and Feeding America® to help reduce the pantry’s operating costs.

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with IHSP,” said Caitlyn Sward, registered dietitian nutritionist, Day Kimball Healthcare. “The work that Daily Bread does in the community is tremendous, and this partnership will only further the good they do. Daily Bread’s partnership will help our cancer patients access fresh produce, as well as provide purchasing opportunities for Caitlyn’s Cupboard through the Connecticut Food Bank. This benefit alone will stretch every monetary donation the pantry receives.”

“IHSP is so happy to partner with DKH Hematology/Oncology and Caitlyn’s Cupboard,” said Ann Kathi Peterson, program coordinator and Karen Osbrey, president, IHSP. “We all share the same goal of providing healthy food choices to those in need. These patients have enough going on in their lives, they shouldn’t have to worry about food insecurity too.”

“Food insecurity is a pressing issue in our community and impacts the health and well-being of many, especially those with chronic health conditions,” said Kyle Kramer, chief executive officer, Day Kimball Healthcare. “At DKH, our goal is ensuring that patients don’t have to choose between paying for their medications and treatment and buying groceries for themselves and their family. Our partnership with IHSP helps eliminate some of those difficult choices for our patients and demonstrates the critical role that local food pantries and healthcare providers can play in improving outcomes for the most vulnerable in our community.”

Caitlyn’s Cupboard accepts shelf-stable food and financial contributions including grocery store gift card donations. For more information about Caitlyn’s Cupboard or to make a food or monetary donation to the pantry, contact Day Kimball Healthcare’s Development Office at (860) 928-7141.

To learn more about Interfaith Human Services of Putnam Food Pantry, Daily Bread, visit www.ihspputnam.org.

PHOTO CAPTION: Day Kimball Healthcare’s hospital-based food pantry, Caitlyn’s Cupboard, partners with Interfaith Human Services of Putnam’s Food Pantry, Daily Bread. (Pictured l to r :) Karen Osbrey, president, IHSP; Kristen Willis, director of development, Day Kimball Healthcare; Ann Kathi Peterson, program coordinator, IHSP; Caitlyn Sward, registered dietitian nutritionist, Day Kimball Healthcare; Kyle Kramer, chief executive officer, Day Kimball Healthcare.