News Summary
CLS Health organized a significant community service event with the Houston Food Bank, mobilizing over 50 volunteers to pack nearly 14,000 meals for seniors facing food insecurity. This inaugural CLS CARES initiative reflects the organization’s commitment to address social determinants of health and foster community connections. The collaborative effort demonstrated the importance of healthcare providers in addressing food insecurity, as CLS Health aims to inspire further community involvement in the future.
Houston – On April 26, 2025, CLS Health organized a significant community service event in partnership with the Houston Food Bank, mobilizing over 50 employee volunteers and their families to pack nearly 14,000 meals for seniors facing food insecurity in the Greater Houston area. This event marked the inaugural CLS CARES initiative, reflecting CLS Health’s commitment to strengthen community ties beyond clinical settings.
During a three-hour session at the Houston Food Bank’s headquarters located at 535 Portwall Street, participants packed a total of 12 pallets of food, which equated to 540 boxes. The food collected provided 13,950 meals specifically aimed at assisting seniors who are currently experiencing food insecurity challenges. This initiative came at a critical time, considering that a poll from No Kid Hungry Texas in 2024 revealed that 44% of Texans had reported food insecurity in the past year.
CLS Health, which operates more than 40 locations and employs over 200 healthcare providers across the region, aims to address not only the medical needs of the community but also social determinants of health, such as food security. The CLS CARES initiative underlines their mission to serve with compassion and foster lasting relationships within the community.
Participants engaged in various activities such as sorting, packing, and preparing food, collectively creating an immediate and positive impact on those in need. The president of CLS Health expressed admiration for the opportunity to contribute to the Houston Food Bank’s mission, particularly as food insecurity remains a pressing issue in the area.
Dr. Naureen Alim, a physician with CLS Health, noted the importance of the initiative as a reminder of the commitment to care that extends beyond the clinic walls—highlighting the essential role healthcare providers can play in community service. The organization views CLS CARES as just the beginning of its overarching strategy to engage more comprehensively with the community.
The Houston Food Bank itself has a long-standing history of serving the community since 1982 and is recognized for its significant contributions, providing access to 140 million meals each year throughout 18 counties via a network of 1,600 partners. The collaborative effort between CLS Health and the Houston Food Bank demonstrates a shared goal of addressing food insecurity and supporting vulnerable populations in the area.
Moving forward, CLS Health is committed to continuing its community engagement initiatives, signaling a long-term investment in the wellbeing of Houston residents. As the organization looks toward future events, it aims to inspire more community involvement and encourage other local businesses to join in similar efforts to combat food insecurity.
This event has illustrated how a collaborative approach can yield immediate benefits, not only for seniors in need of meals but also for nurturing community bonds and reinforcing the principles of compassion and collective responsibility among healthcare professionals.
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Additional Resources
- PharmiWeb: CLS Health and Houston Food Bank Unite to Fight Hunger
- UT Physicians: Honored with Volunteer Award
- Community Impact: Houston Food Bank CEO on Relief Efforts
- ABC13: How to Help Storm Victims
- Houstonia: Ways to Give Back in Houston
- Wikipedia: Food Insecurity
- Google Search: Food Bank Initiatives
- Google Scholar: Food Insecurity in Texas
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Food Security
- Google News: Houston Food Bank
