Bath Community Hospital recently welcomed community members, local organizations, and wellness partners for its inaugural “Food for Thought” event, a community wellness initiative focused on nutrition, mental health, and healthy living.
Held at Bath Community Hospital, the event brought together a variety of community organizations and vendors to provide educational resources, activities, wellness information, healthy food demonstrations, and interactive experiences for attendees of all ages. Guests enjoyed community engagement opportunities, free giveaways, temporary tattoos, local farmers market information, and hands-on activities throughout the event. Complimentary ice cream and milk samples were also provided by Homestead Creamery.
The event highlighted the important connection between nutrition, physical wellness, and mental health while encouraging community members to explore healthy lifestyle habits and local resources available throughout the region.
“We were incredibly encouraged by the community response to our first Food for Thought event,” said Lori Hicks, Director of Community Impact and Population Health at Bath Community Hospital. “Your support and participation have made a significant impact in our community, and we look forward to continuing this journey towards wellness together. We are excited to announce that Food for Thought is slated to become an annual event to kick off a healthy summer.”
Participating organizations and vendors included the Alleghany Highlands YMCA, Bath County Parks and Recreation, Cox Consulting/Food is Medicine, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Homestead Creamery, Virginia Egg Council, Rockbridge Area Community Services, Highland Medical Center, Safehome Systems, Bath County Arts Association, Highland Children’s House, Apple Horse Farm, Virginia Beef Council, Virginia Poultry Federation, Endless Holler Farm, and the Central Shenandoah Health District.
Bath Community Hospital also featured participation from the Bath Community Physicians Group Behavioral Health team, including Pari Baker, Connie Richardson, Amy Good, and Eric Gutierrez, along with additional hospital representatives who shared wellness information and community resources with attendees.
Due to the success of the event and strong community response, Bath Community Hospital plans to continue Food for Thought as an annual event focused on promoting health, wellness, and community connection throughout the region.
For additional coverage of the event, visit The Recorder online.
Established in 1916, Bath Community Hospital is a 25-bed, not-for-profit, Critical Access Hospital located in Hot Springs, Virginia, in Bath County. Bath Community Hospital provides twenty-four-hour emergency services and a select range of diagnostic services, rehabilitative services, pharmacy, general surgery, wellness center, rural health, and specialty clinics.
