Nutrition is essential for both patient recovery and child development. For this reason, the nutrition department at the Adventist Hospital of Belém (HAB), Pará, Brazil, donated food to the Little Lambs of God (Lar Cordeirinhos de Deus) daycare center. The event was part of the first Hospital Nutrition Symposium, which promoted knowledge and encouraged generosity among participants. The donation reflects the healthcare institution's commitment to caring for physical health and promoting social well-being, contributing to a more just and supportive society.

Around 200 kg of food were delivered to the Home, which temporarily houses children and teenagers aged seven to 12. The delivery, which took place on September 5, 2024, included Bible stories, musical performances, and a shared snack. The children's enthusiasm was evident, especially during the storytelling.

Thalita Dantas, manager of the Nutrition and Dietetics Service at the Adventist Hospital of Belém, highlighted the importance of the service. According to her, the donation reinforces the commitment of nutritionists to promote health and ensure access to adequate food. 

“The Symposium took place in August, but the social aspect continues now, with the donated food benefiting this philanthropic center. For us, this is the true ending, which makes all the difference. As nutritionists, we understand the importance of being nourished, and we should contribute whenever possible,” he points out.

Importance of Support

The Lar Cordeirinhos de Deus center offers more than simple assistance; it is a true refuge for children and adolescents in vulnerable situations. Noemi Rodrigues, the organization's founder and president, explains how the daycare and shelter work to provide essential care and how the recent donation aligns with this mission.

“Here we offer both daycare and shelter. During the day, children come early and leave late in the afternoon. But for those who need a temporary home, we provide 24-hour care. Our goal is to provide education and care, always with God’s love, for both the children and their families. We also work with refugee children and offer education from nursery school to kindergarten. Receiving this donation is very important to us. We serve more than 400 meals every day, including breakfast, porridge, snacks and dinner. Many children come here mainly to eat, so ensuring these meals is essential to our work,” she explains.

Commitment to Social Well-Being

The current HAB Chaplain, Carlos Escopel, highlights the importance of actions like this for the institution's social vision.

“As a hospital and members of our denomination, we are continually engaged in actions that promote well-being and solidarity. In this sense, the action carried out reinforces our commitment to helping others and, at the same time, inspires everyone who participated in the event promoted by the Adventist Hospital of Belém. In addition, it reminds us that knowledge, when not applied for humanitarian purposes, loses its true value. Therefore, we must always use what we learn to do good and transform the world around us,” he emphasizes.

First Symposium on Hospital Nutrition

With the theme “Connecting Knowledge and Practices,” the event held between August 29 and 30 promoted the exchange of knowledge in hospital nutrition. It brought together 250 professionals and academics in nutrition and related fields, discussing topics such as integrating nutritionists into teams and advances in nutritional care. The symposium also celebrated Nutritionist Day, highlighting the importance of this profession in patient recovery. The program included panels, lectures, and video conferences, highlighting nutrition as essential to improving clinical results and humanizing hospital care. 

The original article was published on the South American Division Portuguese website.