Norton Children’s opens up Bowling Green food pantry

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -Norton Children’s has opened a food pantry at their children’s health office in Bowling Green to help ensure all children have the nutrition they need, both at home and in the classroom.

Experts say malnutrition and undernutrition can seriously impact a child’s health and development, making initiatives like this crucial.

“Just worrying about food itself can cause anxiety. So it starts with just recognizing the importance of food and good food. And certainly we can’t provide everything. But having the conversation about what good food is, introducing opportunities to get those meals in for the child, but also the family, because is going to be role models for how children eat,” said Dr. Paul Kniery, a pediatrician with Norton Children’s.

Norton Children’s has over two dozen pantries across Kentucky.

In 2023 alone, Norton was able to serve thousands of kids and make sure those families have food on the table.

“Our pantries are very active. I believe in 2023, we serve over 24,000 individuals. So we are anticipating that it’ll probably end up being that amount for this year as well,” said Elle Madden, manager of Norton Children’s Prevention and Wellness.

If you have any questions, you can contact Norton children’s or ask your child’s pediatrician next time they visit the doctor.