Representatives of Dreyer & Reinbold and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) visited the Franciscan Health Cancer Center recently with 200 blankets to be distributed to patients and 50 art activity kits for children whose parents are undergoing bone marrow and stem cell transplants. The blankets and kits, part of Subaru’s “Loves to Care” program, presentation included, from left, Annabeth Stem of LLS, quality manager Mandy Kalway, program coordinator Michelle Nees, Andy Thimlar of Dreyer & Reinbold Subaru, Hilary Abbott RN, nursing manager Natalie Wissel, and Kayli Dermond RN. The blankets will go to patients undergoing treatment at the Franciscan Health Indiana Blood & Marrow Transplation (IBMT) unit, 8111 S. Emerson Ave. Dreyer & Reinbold Subaru is at 1301 US 31, Greenwood.
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Kate Hill-Johnson, left, and Selena Tinoco are amongst the shelves of food for Southsiders to help in the fight against hunger at the Fresh Start Market in Greenwood. Hill-Johnson is the Franciscan Health administrative director of community health improvement and Tinico is a Franciscan Health community health specialist. The market is in the Franciscan Health Sierra Building, 1040 Sierra Drive with access off Emerson Avenue in Greenwood and is open Thursdays, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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Published in the Wednesday, June 21, 2023 edition

Opened in late April, the dedication and blessing of the Fresh Start Market that serves southern Marion County and Greenwood area residents was conducted earlier this month.

The Fresh Start Market is a partnership with the Community Health and Wellness Fund of the Franciscan Health Foundation and Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana and supported by a $10,000 grant from the Hoover Foundation.

Notables at the dedication ceremony included Franciscan Alliance administrative director for community health improvement Kate Hill-Johnson, Franciscan Health Foundation executive director Greg Williamson, and Franciscan Alliance mission services coordinator Sr. Mary Joseph.

With its Franciscan Health alliance, the Fresh Start Market addresses hunger with the availability of healthy food items, free of charge, particularly with Southsiders with health issues that require special diets. No prior registration is needed.

The new food pantry features foods that doctors have recommended for healthy diets, including low sugar and low sodium and less processed foods.

The Fresh Start Market is in the Franciscan Health Sierra Building, 1040 Sierra Drive, with access off Emerson Avenue.

It is open Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Patrons also can meet with staff members to discuss health needs and other education and community resources.

The blessing at the dedication was given by Fr. James Barrand of Franciscan Health spiritual care services.
Hill-Johnson explained that this is the third market in the statewide Franciscan Health network with other sites in Hammond and Crown Point.

She also emphasized that hunger needs and health needs go hand in hand; the Fresh Start Market is a step in encouraging improved health on the Southside.
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Info: franciscanalliance.org.

Fr. James Barrand, Franciscan Health spiritual care services, blesses the new Greenwood Fresh Start Market Food Pantry that serves needy Southsiders with free food items for healthy diets.