Salt Lake City, Utah — HCA Healthcare’s Mountain Division – known locally and across Utah as MountainStar Healthcare – announced that the HCA Healthcare Foundation has awarded a $25,000 grant to Granite Education Foundation to help address food insecurity, as part of its Community Catalyst Grant Program. The funding is through the HCA Healthcare Foundation’s Healthier Tomorrow Fund, a community impact fund that addresses high-priority community needs.
"Granite Education Foundation is a trusted community partner and an essential part of the support system for students in one of the largest and most diverse school districts in Utah," said Justin Suing, Director of Culture & Values for HCA Healthcare’s Mountain and Far West Divisions. "We recognize that unmet needs — from food insecurity to access to basic resources — directly impact a student’s ability to learn and thrive. Each day, Granite Education Foundation works to address those needs, and this support reflects our shared commitment to strengthening the foundation that helps every student succeed."
Granite Education Foundation works to reduce barriers to learning and expand access to opportunities for students and teachers across Granite School District. The district serves more than 55,000 students in 80 schools and supports over 3,000 teachers. With almost half of students qualifying for Free or Reduced Lunch, Granite Education Foundation focuses on meeting students' basic needs so they are able to present their full selves in the classroom. In addressing food insecurity during the 2025–2026 school year, Granite Education Foundation has already distributed more than 60,000 weekend food kits for students, provided 8,019 cases of food and snacks to schools, and delivered over 62,000 snack kits. These efforts help ensure students have the nourishment they need to focus, learn, and thrive.
"Donations like this go a long way in making so many teachers and students feel better about school," said Remi Prince, Programs and Volunteer Manager for Granite Education Foundation. "In the most dire circumstances for our students, these donations directly make it possible for students to have food on the weekend for those who rely heavily on school breakfast and lunch for support. Thank you, HCA Healthcare Foundation. We are so grateful!"
Launched in August 2023, the Community Catalyst Grant program aims to support and strengthen community health efforts by providing operating support to organizations working to decrease health barriers in their communities. This year, the grants were given to nonprofits addressing food insecurity and providing access to healthy foods across the country.
Funding the Healthier Tomorrow Fund at the HCA Healthcare Foundation is one example of the many ways HCA Healthcare is making a positive impact in the communities it serves. In 2024, HCA Healthcare provided charity care, uninsured discounts and other uncompensated care at an estimated cost of $4.4 billion. Additionally, HCA Healthcare continues to invest in the ongoing education and development of its colleagues and, as an enterprise, contributed more than $48.5 million to community organizations in 2024.
For more information about the HCA Healthcare Foundation, visit HCA Healthcare's impact website.