Ayer, MA, February 12, 2014 — Nashoba Valley Medical Center recently donated $5,695 to Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, Inc. The generous donation was a result of proceeds from the hospital’s annual 5k Hunger Run road race, which was held on October 19, 2013.

Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry provides food and temporary support services to residents of Ayer, Devens, Groton, Harvard, Littleton and Shirley. The organization also advocates for changes that will promote independence and self-reliance for its clients. In 2013, the pantry provided food for 968 families, 333 of which were new families to the pantry.

“We are so pleased to provide this donation to our friends at Loaves & Fishes and to help those in our community who are in need,” said Nashoba Valley Medical Center President, Salvatore Perla. “The $5,695 will go a long way to help Loaves & Fishes ensure that our neighbors have enough to eat and can provide food for their families.”

This is the second year that Nashoba Valley Medical Center has held the 5K Hunger Run, and donated the proceeds to Loaves & Fishes. The event brought out over one hundred and fifty participants who also donated more than 364 pounds of food to the organization. Nashoba Valley Medical Center’s 2014 Hunger Run 5K will be held on Saturday, October 18. To learn more about the Hunger Run 5K, visit www.active.com (search Hunger Run 5K).

To learn more about the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, visit https://loavesfishespantry.org/.

Pictured, from left, is Gary Donia, Hunger Run Coordinator, Patricia Stern, Executive Director of Loaves and Fishes, and Salvatore Perla, President of Nashoba Valley Medical Center.

About Nashoba Valley Medical Center – Nashoba Valley Medical Center (NVMC) offers community-based primary care and specialty services. NVMC was awarded an A, the highest grade possible, in hospital safety by Leapfrog, and recipient of the Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval. Areas of clinical strength include emergency medicine, diagnostic imaging, cardiology, gastroenterology, oncology, orthopedics, physical therapy, and general surgery. NVMC also offers a comprehensive Diabetes and Endocrine Center, Travel Clinic and Occupational Health Services. Nashoba Valley Medical Center is part of the Steward Health Care System LLC, the largest integrated community care organization in New England which combines over 3,000 physicians, 11 acute care hospitals, managed care, insurance programs, home care, an imaging operation, and a number of other post acute services, to provide the most cost effective and highest quality of integrated patient care. Additional information is available at www.steward.org and www.nashobamed.org.