HCA Florida Pasco County hospitals announce $10,000 donation

Trinity, FL — HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital and HCA Florida Trinity Hospital came together recently to support a worthwhile charity doing incredible work in our communities.  Chief Executive Officers (CEO) Sally Seymour and Mike Irvin met with The Volunteer Way leadership, toured the facility and presented the organization with a $10,000 donation.

The organization, known locally as “The Volunteer Way” primarily supports Pasco County residents who need assistance getting enough to eat. That food support can come in one of four ways – through the Congress Street food pantry, the Moon Lake soup kitchen, fresh fruit and vegetables from their hydroponic farm and a brown bag lunch program for seniors.

“Food insecurity is a bigger problem in America than most people realize,” said Nicole Cestaro-Jackson, CEO of The Volunteer Way. “A single approach to the issue simply won’t make as much of an impact as we want to make, so we took a look at ways to make our program sustainable and reach the most people given a very tight budget.”

The Volunteer Way distributes millions of pounds of food every year, free of charge, to food pantries, soup kitchens, residential programs, seniors, homeless people, families and other charitable organizations. According to their website, they are committed to helping as many homeless and low-income people as possible and that children, the elderly and the poverty stricken should never go to bed hungry.

HCA Florida Bayonet Hospital CEO Sally Seymour understands the need and the dedication of those working/volunteering for The Volunteer Way and likens the efforts to the caregivers providing services at both Bayonet Point and Trinity Hospitals.

“One of the things I was most struck by when I heard of The Volunteer Way was the dedication and caring for others and that really touched me. The concern for others and the desire to make this community a better place is at the very heart of what we do at our hospitals,” said Seymour. “While we do it in an entirely different field, both organizations share a passion for helping others.”

The leaders had the pleasure of touring The Volunteer Way’s hydroponic farm and came away impressed with the effort towards being self-sufficient.

“Nothing goes to waste here,” said Mike Irvin, CEO, HCA Florida Trinity Hospital. “I never thought of a food bank actually growing their own food. I always thought about it more in terms of donations of canned and dry goods. But here with the hydroponic garden they are able to give those they support fresh fruit and vegetables.”