ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
Food insecurity continues to be a major issue for many families, and Southwest Medical Center is looking to help with that this holiday season.
SWMC is collecting nonperishable food items to support local families in need this season with a food drive. Donations will be taken through Dec. 5 in the SWMC Main Lobby, and suggested donations include canned vegetables and fruits, pasta, rice and grains, peanut butter and other canned protein, cereal, instant meals, bottled water and juice, and other non-perishable food items.
SWMC Marketing Director Janeth Vazquez said it was a rather easy decision to join other community efforts.
“What started the food drive initially was when I was sent some data from a friend of mine that showed the percentage of households in Seward County who participate in SNAP, and I was sent that information while those benefits were put on hold by the federal government,” Vazquez said. “I was really concerned about that, and that's when I started having some conversations with City of Liberal leadership as well as the administrative team at SWMC about what could be done, and we ultimately decided to host a food drive. We were planning on doing something like this, and last year, we'd partnered with the Liberal Area Coalition for Families (LACF) to put together food baskets for families in need in the school district. I was waiting to see if we would have such a request again before officially deciding anything and if there wasn't, I'd planned on putting together a food drive. I ended up not hearing from the LACF, so we decided to do the food drive. At the end of the day, all of the churches and other places that have food pantries for the community are struggling, so that's why we're going to do one at large.”
With the holiday season being a rough time for many families, Vazquez said the need for food assistance jumps up.
“During the holiday season, there's always an increased need for food support in the community and this year, that need is especially noticeable because of the SNAP benefits being put on hold for as long as they were,” Vazquez said. “Even though those benefits have been reinstated, there are still many, many families facing those challenges during the holidays. I've even seen families requesting some food assistance through social media, so the need is definitely there. This food drive is a great way to give back to families who are struggling putting food on the table for holidays, and every donation, big or small, helps support families right here in Liberal.”
With other food drives going on in the community, Vazquez said she is proud she and her staff can be part of those efforts.
“We're proud SWMC can play a role in addressing food insecurity in Seward County, and we hope people in the community will join us in this effort. During the holiday season, we know times can be tough financially, emotionally, etc., so if everyone possible can do their part, it will truly make a difference,” Vazquez said. “We're also doing an Angel Tree, and people are welcome to come in and get their Angels. I haven't yet gotten in touch with all the different organizations we'll be distributing to, but I will be doing that, or they can even reach out to me at SWMC and we can talk. We don't have a set goal, we're just hoping to help as many people as possible. We're hoping this community's generosity continues coming into play, because there is a huge need in Seward County. There was a 2024 environmental scan by Hunger For Kansas, 9 percent of households in Seward County participate in SNAP, and what means is approximately 665 households rely on SNAP to help meet those basic food needs. And that's just the number currently enrolled – there are probably many more households that qualify but haven't actually applied or enrolled. The holiday season is all about coming together and helping each other. We live in a very generous community, and we all genuinely care about each other.”
Overall, Vazquez said, she hopes the Liberal community will live up to its name.
“Every contribution, no matter what it is, will help ensure families have enough to eat this holiday season,” Vazquez said. “There are many other organizations and charities working to help families in need, and we should all figure out a way to do our part.”
