Independence, MO — Centerpoint Medical Center today announced a $25,000 HCA Community Catalyst Grant awarded to Community Services League, helping address food insecurity and support individuals and families experiencing crisis and transition in the Independence community.
The grant was presented on in February by Centerpoint Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Patrick Rafferty to Community Services League leadership. HCA Midwest Health, Centerpoint Medical Center, and Community Services League share a longstanding relationship rooted in volunteerism, community engagement, and a shared commitment to addressing the social determinants of health, including food insecurity. Centerpoint Medical Center is part of HCA Midwest Health, the region’s leading healthcare provider.
Food insecurity remains a pressing challenge for many Independence families, and this HCA Community Catalyst Grant helps advance Community Services League’s community-based work to improve health and stability by addressing one of the most critical social determinants of health.
“Community Services League is a trusted partner and a vital part of the Independence safety net,” said Rafferty. “At Centerpoint, we see how unmet needs like food insecurity can directly affect health outcomes. Community Services League often supports individuals and families long before they require hospital care, and this grant reflects our shared commitment to strengthening the systems that support our community.”
The HCA Community Catalyst Grant supports Community Services League’s food access programs, helping ensure neighbors have consistent access to nutritious food during periods of need – support that plays an important role in long-term community health and stability.
“We are deeply grateful to HCA Midwest Health for this Community Catalyst Grant,” said Community Services League President and CEO Doug Cowan. “This $25,000 investment strengthens our ability to meet people where they are and provide reliable access to nutritious food during moments of crisis and transition. Partnerships like this reinforce not only our mission, but the overall health and stability of the Independence community.”
Launched in 2023 through the Healthier Tomorrow Fund, the HCA Healthcare Foundation’s Health Equity Catalyst Grant program provides one-time operating support to community-based organizations working to address health inequities and other barriers that impact long-term health and stability. The program focuses on strengthening culturally responsive services, advancing high-impact community health initiatives, supporting collaborative approaches and addressing root causes that influence health outcomes.
Through community investment priorities such as the Community Catalyst Grant, HCA Healthcare and its affiliated hospitals partner with trusted local organizations to improve health beyond hospital walls. Locally, HCA Midwest Health continues a longstanding commitment to community care by supporting programs focused on food security, access to care, education and overall community well-being — guided by a shared belief that healthier communities lead to healthier lives.