National Nurses Week: Black Nurses Association battles food insecurity in DC area

WASHINGTON (7News) — National Nurses Week is being celebrated from May 6 to May 12 and 7News is celebrating our nurses and we really can’t thank them enough.

Monday morning, we're honoring a group that didn’t just battle COVID-19 but food insecurity as well.

The Black Nurses Association of Greater Washington Area, since February, has been providing food to fill up several pantries for schools in underserved communities. Enough food to where students can eat during the week, but they can take also take some home on the weekends.

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And not just food but they are providing toiletries, including feminine products for young women who may not have access to certain things.

7News spoke with the group's Vice President Joan Smith about their efforts in the community and even she was overwhelmed with the impact they had.

“When I made this announcement January 27 our first drop-off what February 7. When I tell you my living room was overflowing! So, our members showed up and they showed out. They have not let up. Our last drop will be next month but we’re not stopping there Mr. Burton, we want to figure out how to leverage the resources because we know that food insecurity is not limited to holidays, not limited to the school year," Smith said.

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The Black Nurses Association of Greater Washington Area is partnering with a local food pantry program. There’s a lot more to the conversation. 7News also spoke with President Dr. Pier Broadnax and a nursing school student at Howard University who’s also involved.

Go here for more information and how to get involved.