Published: November 26, 2025
CARSON CITY, Mich.– Team members from University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Carson are taking the initiative to address food insecurity and strengthen community well-being this holiday season by providing Thanksgiving meal boxes to individuals and families in need.
The hospital initiative recognizes that health extends beyond clinical care and that consistent access to nutritious food is a cornerstone of public health. For families facing financial hardship, holidays can be a source of stress rather than celebration.
“Our mission is to advance the health of the communities we serve, and that commitment doesn’t stop at our hospital walls,” said Mariah Hesse, chief nursing officer at UM Health-Sparrow Carson. “By providing these meals, we are addressing a critical social need and helping to ensure our neighbors can share in the comfort and connection of a Thanksgiving dinner, which is so important for overall wellness.”
UM Health-Sparrow Carson will be providing meals to the community this Thanksgiving.
Hospital staff are contributing to the effort by donating nonperishable food items. Donations include canned goods like green beans, corn, soup, and pie filling, as well as boxed stuffing, pasta and Jell-O. All donated items will be assembled into Thanksgiving meal boxes for distribution to community members.
The effort at the UM Health-Sparrow Carson is part of a broader push across U-M Health to address food insecurity during the holiday season.
At University of Michigan Health-West near Grand Rapids, the "Sharing is Caring Food Drive" collected nonperishable food, pantry staples and household goods to support community members affected by recent interruptions to SNAP benefits.
All items will help restock the pantry at the UM Health-West Community Health Clinic and support local families. These events continue UM Health-Sparrow’s deep history of community partnership and support beyond traditional health care services.
To learn more about UM Health-Sparrow community efforts, go to UofMHealthSparrow.org/our-hospitals-services/um-health-sparrow-hospitals/carson.
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University of Michigan Health-Sparrow is Mid-Michigan’s premier health care organization and includes hospitals in Lansing, Carson City, Charlotte, Ionia and St. Johns, as well as UM Health-Sparrow Specialty Hospital, Care Network, the Michigan Athletic Club, and AL!VE. UM Health-Sparrow is part of University of Michigan Health. Through the dedication of our 10,000 team members, UM Health-Sparrow pursues a vision to be nationally recognized as a leader in quality and patient experience. For more information, visit UofMHealthSparrow.org.