Baptist Health Medical Center–Drew County Partners with Arkansas Foodbank to Address Food Insecurity

MONTICELLO, Ark. –  Baptist Health Medical Center-Drew County has partnered with the Arkansas Foodbank to launch a community-focused “Food is Medicine” initiative aimed at improving health outcomes and addressing food insecurity in Southeast Arkansas.

Through this partnership, community members can access free health screenings and wellness education alongside food assistance at Second Baptist Church, 1032 Old Warren Rd. Baptist Health Community Outreach will offer blood pressure checks, blood glucose testing and access to health education resources designed to help individuals better understand and manage chronic conditions from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the following dates:

• Friday, May 15
• Friday, June 26
• Friday, July 24
• Friday, August 21

“This partnership reflects our commitment to meeting people where they are and addressing the root causes of poor health,” said Scott Barrilleaux, president of Baptist Health Medical Center–Drew County. “By combining access to nutritious food with preventive health services, we’re helping build a healthier community.”

Food insecurity remains a significant challenge in Arkansas, affecting roughly 1 in 6 residents, according to the Feeding America, and disproportionately impacting rural communities like Drew County. Limited access to nutritious food is closely linked to chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease—underscoring the importance of initiatives like “Food is Medicine.” By aligning health care services with nutrition support, Baptist Health Community Outreach and the Arkansas Foodbank are advancing a more holistic approach to community wellness,helping individuals and families access not only food, but the resources needed to live healthier lives.

For more information about the program, community members can contact Baptist Health Community Outreach at (501) 202-1540.

About Baptist Health

For more than a century, Baptist Health has delivered all our best in health care through Christian compassion and innovative services. Baptist Health, Arkansas’ most comprehensive health care organization, is here For You. For Life. – with more than 300 points of access that include 12 hospitals; urgent care centers; a senior living community; over 75 primary and specialty care clinics; a college with studies in nursing and allied health; and a graduate residency program. It is also the largest private not-for-profit health care organization based in Arkansas, providing care through the support of approximately 12,000 employees, groundbreaking treatments, renowned physicians and community outreach programs. Baptist Health is certified as a Great Place to Work and is honored by Newsweek as one of America’s Most Admired Workplaces 2026. For more information about Baptist Health, visit Baptist-Health.org, call Baptist Health HealthLine at 1-888-BAPTIST or download the myBaptistHealth app. Find us on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.