“I Don’t Want Any Kid to Go Hungry”: Nurse Raises $1000+ For Food Donations Amid Shutdown

As the ongoing government shutdown continues to affect many Oklahomans, one nurse from Mercy Hospital decided she couldn’t stand by and do nothing. Shelby Finn, RN, a nurse with Mercy’s Baby Resource Team, saw families struggling to make ends meet and decided to help fill the gap one donation at a time.

“I don’t want any kid to not have food,” Finn said. “So what can we do to help bridge that gap while they’re figuring their lives out in other places to make sure those benefits come back?”

That question sparked a wave of generosity. After seeing a social media post about a food fundraiser, Finn decided to launch her own initiative. She wrote a post on Mercy’s internal employee page and the response was immediate.

“Then I had an anonymous donor who was willing to match up to $500,” Finn said. “So right now, we’re at about $1,100.”

The funds were directed to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, which provides meals for families facing food insecurity throughout the state.

For Finn, what began as a simple idea has turned into something bigger, a reminder of how much power nurses have to create positive change both in and out of the hospital.

“So I felt really inspired by that,” Finn said. “It just shows that when we all step up, we can make a real difference.”

According to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, children, veterans, and seniors make up the majority of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients in the state — an estimated 700,000 people. The shutdown has delayed benefits for many families who rely on these programs.

“I think people see this and realize, ‘Yeah, this is a need, and I want to help meet it,’” Finn said. “It reminds us that even small donations add up. I can give $10, but if 50 other people give $10, that makes a much bigger impact.”

While her role focuses on caring for newborns and their families, Finn’s effort reflects a wider truth about nursing: compassion doesn’t stop at the bedside. Her message is simple: when nurses unite, they create real change both inside and outside the hospital. 

Finn encourages anyone who wants to contribute to donate directly to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma through their website.

How do you use your nursing role to support your community outside of work? Share your story in the discussion forum below.

🤔 Nurses, how do you use your nursing role to support your community outside of work? Share your story in the discussion forum below.