Providence clinic food pantry serves as stopgap for patients experiencing food insecurity

At a medical appointment in 2024, it came up that Becci was running low on food for herself and her children. 

Fortunately, she didn’t have to travel far for help. Becci, who lives close to her doctor’s office in Northeast Portland, was able to get three days’ worth of food for her household from the Gateway Food Pantry at the Providence Gateway Medical Plaza. 

“I had no idea the pantry was there,” said Becci, who had run out of her food assistance benefits at the time. “There was a great variety of food at the pantry, and it was so helpful.” 

Providence opened the food pantry in 2022 in partnership with Portland Open Bible Community Pantry, which works with Oregon Food Bank to keep the shelves stocked. Providence began offering this service after social determinants of health screening data showed many Gateway patients were experiencing food insecurity. 

Patients from Providence Gateway Family Medicine and Providence Gateway Internal Medicine, who screen positive for food insecurity, can visit the pantry after their appointment. The pantry offers healthy and culturally appropriate food choices, and patrons can “shop” the shelves to decide what they want. 

“We invite patients to visit the pantry if they are in need of food the day of their medical appointment,” said Sonya Kauffman Smith, program manager, Community Health. 

Throughout 2024, the Gateway Food Pantry served nearly 4,100 Providence patients and family members, distributing more than 36,800 meals.

These patients also received information for ongoing resources through the Community Resource Desk program, including the POBCP. 

Because Becci was connected to the POBCP through her visit to the Gateway Pantry, she can now order food for her family every week and pick up her groceries at the POBCP.