Lockers open up new hope

SANDUSKY — A new program unlocks the barriers often faced by people dealing with food insecurity and/or battling chronic illnesses. Earlier this month, the local nonprofit OHgo unveiled a new refrigerated food locker system it specially designed— known as the Be Well Box — at Family Health Services in Sandusky with plans to install another one elsewhere soon. Coordinators of this endeavor, including OHgo's co-founder Christine Boesch and Family Health Services Food is Medicine program director Leslie Johnson, believe this first-of-its-kind area initiative can help "bridge the gap." Dr. Austen Smith, formerly of Family Health Services, also contributed. Boesch, whose nonprofit represents Erie County's leading organization in feeding underserved population segments, explained what they meant by "bridge the gap." "This is all about making sure patients who are struggling have more accessibility to the nutritious food that they need," said Boesch, noting this program complements OHgo's other outreach efforts, like its mobile food pantry events. Beginning in September, volunteers for OHgo, which partners with Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio, intend to stock the lockers with dietician-approved foods, namely low-sodium beans, leafy greens, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. In a nutshell, here's how it will work specifically for existing Family Health Services patients: • An eligible person can receive a referral, during an appointment, from either a participating primary care provider or registered dietician to gain access to a locker. • At this point, a person then can visit the Sandusky-based facility, on Hayes Avenue (Ohio 4), where these lockers are located. • The patient receives a unique code, which can be entered at a specific locker. • Each person can receive food from a locker twice a month so long as the patient makes scheduled appointments. "Our hope is that people come in for the food but stay for the health treatments," said Johnson, whose organization classifies itself as a nonprofit providing "quality, affordable health care for all." "This could establish a really good pattern in their lives," Johnson added. "By doing this, people will be more likely to make or go to their doctor appointments, which, in turn, will mean less medical expenses for them in the future and can help cut down on food-related chronic illnesses." Boesch wholeheartedly agreed. "This is addressing many barriers: Many people don't have the resources or don't know about nutrition education. These lockers help with that. And then when they meet with someone, like Leslie, they can learn about healthy recipes and smart grocery shopping and other community resources they can tap into so that they can live healthier lives." The Be Well Box can also curb a disturbing trend. The 2021 Erie County Youth Health Assessment revealed about one-third of children in Erie County, about 1,800 youth, are overweight or obese. Additionally, according to the 2019 Erie County Community Health Assessment, three-fourths — or 75%, which is approximately 44,200 — of Erie County adults are overweight or obese, which is linked to poor health outcomes like heart disease, diabetes and strokes. "When you are struggling to feel well and be well, it's hard to live life," Boesch said. "The whole basis of this program is just to make people, regardless of income level, in our community live a better and healthier lifestyle." Want to learn more? Both Family Health Services and OHgo encourage people to reach out to learn more about the Be Well Box. The program is seeking donations and could expand based on overall interest. People can reach: • Family Health Services, through Johnson, at ljohnson@familyhs.org • OHgo, through Boesch, at christine@ohgoreach.org