Hillman Foundation awards $200,000 grant to support BMH Food Institute

Butler, Pa., Sept. 17, 2026—The BMH Foundation, the charitable arm of Independence Health System Butler Memorial Hospital, has received a $200,000 grant from Hillman Foundation to support the BMH Food Institute. The funding will be distributed over two years to support food shares, evidence-based nutrition education programs, and staffing.

“Food insecurity affects nearly every aspect of health,” said Becky Clouse, Independence Health System community health program manager. “The BMH Food Institute helps people access healthy food and build healthier habits through education, coaching, and support. Thanks to the support of this grant, we can further strengthen these efforts in our community."

Established in 2021, the BMH Food Institute helps address food insecurity through a comprehensive approach that combines access to healthy foods, nutrition education, and connections to community resources. Patients are referred through Independence Health System's physician network and screened for food insecurity using a standardized Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services assessment tool. Eligible participants receive monthly food shares and individualized nutrition education over a four-month period, including counseling, recipes, and practical guidance on meal planning, food safety, budgeting, label reading, and reducing sodium and added sugars.

“For many patients and community members, reliable access to healthy food remains a significant challenge,” said Anthony Cancro, Independence Health System chief development officer. “We are grateful for Hillman Foundation’s generosity and support. This grant will help us expand access to healthy food and nutrition resources for more people throughout our community.”

Since its launch, the BMH Food Institute has served more than 2,000 participants and provided 6,000 hours of nutrition education and coaching.

To learn more about the BMH Food Institute, visit independence.health and search for “Food Institute.”

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Independence Health System: Nationally recognized for quality care, Independence Health System comprises Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland Hospitals with a combined bed count of 925. With more than 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 7,000 employees, the System is the third largest in western Pennsylvania serving a population base of 750,000 in a footprint spanning a multi-county region. 

The System includes tertiary programs rated among America’s best for cardiac care and surgery, earning accolades from a number of prestigious outlets and organizations. Locally owned and locally controlled, Independence Health System offers its patients low-cost, high-quality care across the care spectrum in such specialties as cardiology, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, women’s health and obstetrics, emergency medicine, behavioral health and primary care. Its network of outpatient centers sees more than 1.2 million visits annually. The homecare division further supports patients at all stages of life with home health and hospice services. Learn more at www.independence.health.

Hillman Foundation: Hillman Foundation is one of 18 individual foundations administered by Hillman Family Foundations. Learn more about each foundation and its funding priorities at hillmanfamilyfoundations.org.