Cleveland Clinic Pledges $50 Million to Address Hunger

Five-year commitment aims to reduce food insecurity and improve access to nutritious food across Ohio, Florida, and Nevada.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Cleveland Clinic has made a five-year, $50 million commitment to reduce hunger and improve access to nutritious food across Ohio, Florida, and Nevada through direct support to local food banks and community-based organizations. The long-term investment is designed to give community organizations the stability they need to continue their critical work in ensuring families have reliable access to nutritious food.

Why it matters

Food insecurity remains a significant challenge nationwide, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimating that one in seven households (nearly 48 million people) struggle to access nutritious food on a consistent basis. This pledge reflects Cleveland Clinic's belief that addressing hunger is essential to improving overall health and creating stronger, healthier communities.

The details

The $50 million in funding will support the Greater Cleveland Food Bank along with several other food banks, pantries, and markets across Northeast Ohio, Florida, and Las Vegas, Nevada. This pledge builds on Cleveland Clinic's ongoing efforts to address hunger, including a $2 million contribution to local food banks in 2025 and a $10.4 million investment in 2023 to advance innovative food access initiatives such as a teaching kitchen, summer and weekend meals for children, food vouchers, grocery delivery, free produce from local farms, and Nourish food pantries for patients who qualify.

  • Cleveland Clinic made the five-year, $50 million commitment in 2026.
  • The health system contributed $2 million to local food banks in 2025.
  • Cleveland Clinic invested $10.4 million in 2023 to advance innovative food access initiatives.

The players

Cleveland Clinic

An American academic medical center that is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. It is one of the largest and most respected hospitals in the United States.

Tom Mihaljevic, M.D.

The President and CEO of Cleveland Clinic, and holder of the Morton Mandel CEO Chair at Cleveland Clinic.

Kristin Warzocha

The President and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.

Vickie Johnson

The Chief Community Officer at Cleveland Clinic.

Greater Cleveland Food Bank

A non-profit organization that distributes millions of pounds of food to hunger centers and food pantries across Northeast Ohio.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Our success fuels our responsibility. As an anchor institution, Cleveland Clinic has a duty to reinvest in the communities we serve. Expanding access to nutritious food is one of the most powerful ways we can support health, stability and opportunity for families. This commitment reflects our belief that addressing hunger is essential to improving overall health and creating stronger, healthier communities for generations to come.”

— Tom Mihaljevic, M.D., Cleveland Clinic President and CEO, and holder of the Morton Mandel CEO Chair at Cleveland Clinic (clevelandclinic.org)

“This investment strengthens the systems that help families access the healthy food options they need. By partnering with community based organizations across Ohio, Florida and Nevada, we can scale proven programs and ensure resources reach the people who need them most. These efforts reflect our commitment to building the long term community conditions that support better health.”

— Vickie Johnson, Chief Community Officer at Cleveland Clinic (clevelandclinic.org)

“We are profoundly grateful to the Cleveland Clinic for this extraordinary investment in our community. The need among families remains high, this remarkable commitment — especially to addressing childhood hunger — sends a powerful message that the health of our community begins with access to nutritious food. Because of this generosity, children, seniors, and families across our region will not only have the meals they need today, but the stability and nourishment to thrive for years to come.”

— Kristin Warzocha, President and CEO, Greater Cleveland Food Bank (clevelandclinic.org)

The takeaway

This pledge highlights Cleveland Clinic's commitment to addressing food insecurity and improving access to nutritious food as a key component of supporting overall community health. By providing long-term, stable funding to local food banks and community organizations, the health system is empowering these partners to scale proven programs and ensure resources reach the people who need them most across Ohio, Florida, and Nevada.