ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Mission Health collected more than 10,000 pounds of food this year through its annual Healthy Foods for Healthier Tomorrows drive, the health system announced Wednesday.

More than 5,000 pounds were donated at Mission Hospital and CarePartners, benefiting MANNA FoodBank and Loving Food Resources in Asheville. The effort is part of HCA Healthcare’s Healthier Foods for a Healthier Tomorrow initiative, a systemwide campaign to address food insecurity in the communities served by HCA hospitals.

Mission Hospital also contributed $15,000 to MANNA FoodBank in addition to the food donations.

“Our partnership with MANNA FoodBank and our local community organizations reflects our shared mission of supporting individuals and families across Western North Carolina,” Greg Lowe, CEO of Mission Health and Mission Hospital, said in a statement. “I’m incredibly proud of our teams for coming together in such a meaningful way… This is the heart of who we are at Mission Health — people helping people.”

Regional hospitals — including Angel Medical Center, Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, Mission Hospital McDowell and Transylvania Regional Hospital — also collected donations for their local food pantry partners.

Mission Health officials said the annual drive helps stock pantry shelves during one of the most challenging times of the year for food banks. Donations support emergency food distributions and provide year-round assistance to families in need.

The system thanked employees, volunteers and partner organizations for contributing to the effort.