P2.E083: Caregiver Feedback for a Food Insecurity Screening and Food Distribution Program in a Pediatric Emergency Department

Background: Providers in the pediatric emergency department (ED) are likely to interface with caregivers experiencing food insecurity. Food distribution programs in the ED have become more commonplace but research is limited regarding caregiver satisfaction with the food distributed and perceived usefulness of resources provided.

Project Description: We developed a food insecurity screening and food distribution initiative in June of 2021. Nurses screened caregivers presenting to the pediatric ED for food insecurity; social work met with families who screened positive and offered shelf-stable food and food access resources (a list of food pantries and instructions to sign up for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)). Caregivers connected with food and food access resources between 07/20/2022 and 04/12/2023 received a survey regarding their satisfaction with the food and perceived usefulness of resources. Surveys (English and Spanish) were distributed via email.

Discussion: Of the 111 caregivers who received surveys, 37 (33.3%) completed the survey between 08/05/2022 to 04/19/2023. Of responding caregivers, 26 (87%) were women, 25 (83%) resided within Chicago, 19 (73%) were English speaking, and 12 (40%) were between the ages of 25-34 years. The mean household size was 4 individuals. Caregivers were satisfied with the bag of food provided (23 (68%) were “very satisfied” and 10 (29%) were “somewhat satisfied”). When asked about which items they would most likely use from a food bag, a majority of caregivers (25, 68%) responded “fresh fruits” and “fresh vegetables” (Table). Caregivers found the list of food pantries to be helpful (26 (76%) found it “very helpful” and 5 (15%) found it “somewhat helpful”). Of the responding caregivers, 13 (38%) visited a food pantry after receiving the list of food pantries, and for 8 (62%) of those caregivers, this was their first time visiting a food pantry. Most caregivers found the information to sign up for SNAP to be helpful (18 (53%) found it to be “very helpful” and 4 (12%) found it “somewhat helpful”). Of the responding caregivers, 10 (29%) signed up for SNAP after receiving this information, and for 4 (40%) of those caregivers, this was their first time signing up for SNAP. Some caregivers felt less stressed after they received food and food access resources during their visit (9 (26%) felt “much less stressed” and 10 (29%) felt a “little less stressed”).

Conclusion: Screening and intervening on food insecurity in the pediatric ED is important, but caregiver satisfaction and connection with resources is paramount. We found that most caregivers were satisfied with the bag of food and found the food access resources to be helpful. Furthermore, some patients were connected with food pantries and SNAP for the first time after receiving these resources. Future iterations of this intervention could include fresh fruits and vegetables for distribution.