Hayden Homes and First Story Food Backpack Fund - Front Door Blog by Hayden Homes

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September 5, 2023

Hayden Homes and First Story Food Backpack Fund

ALBANY GENERAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION TO ESTABLISH THE “HAYDEN HOMES AND FIRST STORY FOOD BACKPACK FUND” AT DONATION EVENT

Hayden Homes and First Story donated a total of $25,000 to Albany General Hospital Foundation along with backpacks of food for food-insecure patients

Hayden Homes and First Story donated a total of $25,000 to Albany General Hospital Foundation to establish the “Hayden Homes and First Story Food Backpack Fund.” Backpacks provided by the fund are filled with healthy and nutritious foods that help food-insecure patients of all ages heal from medical challenges and maintain their health.

Representatives from Hayden Homes and First Story partnered with Albany General Hospital Foundation to hold a special donation event on Tuesday, August 29. The event was held at the Mid-Willamette Family YMCA, located at 3201 Pacific Blvd. SW in Albany, where a check and backpacks of food were presented to AGHF. 

“Thanks to the Hayden Homes & First Story Backpack Fund we will have a dedicated fund for the program and can increase our fundraising efforts to provide more sustainable funding and support to the Samaritan Albany General Hospital Food Backpack Program,” said Bobby Williams Herrera, the senior development specialist at AGHF. “The program will continue to grow each year.”

The food backpack program has had a significant reach since its inception in 2019 and AGHF expects to distribute nearly 250 backpacks this year. Each backpack contains a three-day supply of ready-to-eat foods, protein drinks, and local food bank information for food-insecure patients in hospital inpatient and outpatient clinical settings. The approximate cost per backpack is $35-$40.

During the donation event, Hayden Homes team members participated in a team-building activity, and assembled food backpacks with donated supplies they’ve collected since July. 

“Hayden Homes is honored to partner with First Story and support the Albany General Hospital Foundation’s mission to build a healthier community,” said Brett Swanson, the regional director for Hayden Homes. “Our Give As You Go™ mission is all about building a strong community. Contributing funds and materials to the food backpack program is a very tangible way we can do that. We’re grateful for the opportunity and look forward to seeing AGHF expand its reach.”