HCA Florida Memorial Hospital 'Shows Up' to build garden lots for 10 food insecure families in St. Augustine

St. Augustine, FL — HCA Florida Memorial Hospital’s executive team, senior leaders and Brand Ambassadors rolled up their sleeves on Friday, April 24, as part of the hospital’s “We Show Up for Our Communities” days of volunteer service initiative, building 10 garden plots at the St. Johns Food Pantry to support 10 local families facing food insecurity during National Volunteer Month.

Through this hands-on effort, hospital leaders constructed and framed 10 garden lots, filling them with fresh soil making them ripe for planting. The lots will be gifted to 10 selected St. Augustine families, providing them with a sustainable source of fresh fruits and vegetables, and empowering them to grow their own healthier tomorrows.

“At HCA Florida Memorial Hospital, we know access to nutritious food is fundamental to health and recovery,” said Reed Hammond, chief executive officer of HCA Florida Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville. “This project goes beyond building garden beds — it creates opportunity, restores dignity, and empowers families to take an active role in their well-being.”

The initiative reflects the hospital’s ongoing commitment to improving community health beyond hospital walls by addressing social determinants of health, including access to nutritious food. By partnering with the St. Johns Food Pantry, the organization aims to create a lasting impact for years to come.

“We’re so grateful to HCA Florida Memorial Hospital for showing up to build 10 garden plots for our local families — giving them a chance to grow their own fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Jon Gorecki, who leads the St. Johns Food Pantry in St. Augustine. “It meant a lot to see Memorial Hospital’s leadership supporting our community in such a hands-on way. This partnership really showed their commitment to helping neighbors facing food insecurity.”

In addition to increasing access to fresh food, the garden plots will provide families with a sense of ownership, pride, and connection — helping to strengthen both individual well-being and the broader community.

“Our ‘We Show Up for Our Communities’ initiative is about more than service — it’s about showing up in meaningful, lasting ways,” Hammond added. “Projects like this help us make a real difference and build healthier futures for the families we serve.”

In March, Memorial Hospital strengthened its commitment to the region by opening its sixth freestanding emergency room, HCA Florida St. Augustine Emergency, marking its second location in St. Johns County. Alongside HCA Florida Julington Creek Emergency, these sites expand access to high-quality, connected care through Florida’s largest hospital network. Combined with its main hospital in Jacksonville, the system now serves communities across Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties.

In 2024, HCA Healthcare colleagues across the country provided $18 million with matching funds to support charitable organizations and volunteered 240,000 hours. This year in Jacksonville, Memorial Hospital hopes to further elevate those volunteer hours with its 33 hospital department teams that partnered with 17 area organizations from April 20 through May 1 that included:

• Akita Rescue
• Angelwood Thrift Store
• Beaches Go Green
• Catty Shack Ranch
• Daniel Memorial Kids
• Feeding Northeast Florida
• Goodwill Giving Closet
• Hubbard House
• Humane Society
• One More Child
• PACE Center for Girls
• Ronald McDonald House
• Salvation Army
• Johns Food Pantry
• Francis Homeless Shelter
• Trinity Rescue Mission for Women and Children
• UCOM Jacksonville