UNC Lenoir Health Care continued their annual Feastival of Food as an opportunity to give back to the community that made them feel so supported throughout the pandemic.

“We had so many kind, generous things happen in the last two years that we feel more generous than ever,” said Beverly Jenkins, UNC Lenoir Health Care’s Director of Marketing and Medical Staff Development.

Each year the directors of the hospital provide a list of names of families who may be in need. The hospital contributes to other organizations as well, including Mary’s Kitchen, the Greene County shelter, churches and organizations that offer food pantries and others.

“It’s a time of thanksgiving and you need to be helping other people who are in need,” said Compensation Coordinator Paula Hinson, UNC Lenoir Health Care. “You get so much joy out of it when you help someone.”

The competition of who can donate the most food is fierce amongst the departments in the hospital.

“We’re real competitive its kind of like a contest, as well as doing something good for our community and our hospital,” said Clinical Coordinator Beth Jones, RN who works in the Medical, Surgical and Oncology department at UNC Lenoir Health Care.

The department of Medical, Surgical and Oncology was declared the winners when the department raised over 5,400 pounds.

“Our department raised money and several of the nurses went out, coupon-ed and tried to get the best deals,” said Jones.

In total, UNC Lenoir moved over 16,000 pounds of food to be donated to the community.