MENDOTA, Calif. – As families continue to navigate shifting food benefit policies, pediatric residents from Valley Children’s joined the Alliance for Medical Outreach and Relief (AMOR) to help distribute food to families in need.
“The medical appointment is only a blip in the care of a patient; so much more goes into the well-being of patients that impacts their health,” said Dr. Bibi Patel, pediatric resident with Valley Children’s. “Being involved in the community like this helps us to try to bridge this gap in care.”
The monthly food distribution takes place at the AMOR Wellness Center in Mendota and began in 2021. The Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (EOC), in partnership with the Central California Food Bank, purchases and supplies the food.
“There’s a tremendous need in Mendota and the surrounding rural areas for food,” said Davena Witcher, executive director of AMOR. “Lack of available work during the winter months, the increased cost of food and shrinking public benefits means that more of the cash they have saved must be spent on other essentials, like medical care, diapers, gas and more.”
RELATED: Where Central Valley Families Can Find Food Help Amid SNAP Benefit Uncertainty
Each distribution typically serves between 200 and 500 families. November events are especially busy, as agricultural work slows and household budgets tighten.
At this month’s distribution, Valley Children’s residents noted that more than 200 families were already lined up before the event began.
“It’s important for doctors to understand the problems facing the communities in which we practice and train, and volunteering is a great way to do this,” said Dr. Sayeh Akhavan, pediatric resident with Valley Children’s.
One moment that stood out to Dr. Akhavan was when a woman declined her full share of cabbages, hoping others could benefit instead.
“That stuck out because it emphasized the great needs of this community – and also the ways in which community members look out for and support one another,” Dr. Akhavan said.
RELATED: Food Bank Partnership Delivers Nutrition Where Families Need It Most
Six pediatric residents participated in the distribution, offering care beyond the walls of hospitals and clinics.
“As a doctor, it’s very easy to make a recommendation to eat more healthy foods; it requires little effort and doesn’t take into account things such as living in food deserts and the cost of healthy foods,” said Dr. Patel. “It’s another thing to be able to provide specific local resources to allow for healthy eating to be a possibility for a family.”
Fresno EOC operates food distributions throughout Fresno and nearby communities. To learn more about locations and schedules, click here.
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