London, Ont. — With the cost-of-living surging, many new parents are feeling the strain of rising prices for everyday essentials, but a $100,000 grant is helping change that. The Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health has made an investment to support vulnerable families through London Health Sciences Centre’s (LHSC) Women’s Care Program.

The funding is introducing a new initiative at LHSC: the Shoppers Foundation Women’s Care Cupboard. This resource provides essentials like baby formula, diapers, medications, prenatal vitamins and more — easing financial barriers for patients and ensuring they have the supplies needed for a healthy pregnancy and recovery.  

The Women’s Care Cupboard is available to any expectant or new mothers receiving care in the prenatal and postnatal clinics at LHSC. The initiative is designed to support all new mothers in need, including those from traditionally marginalized communities and comes at a critical time. Last year, more than 26,000 patients turned to LHSC’s Women’s Care Program — a number that continues to rise, showing just how many families need help. Yet, despite this growing demand, only seven per cent of Canada’s health research funding is directed toward women’s health.

“The Women’s Care Cupboard by Shoppers has been a valued addition to our care program,” said Dr. Laura Lyons, Associate Physician Department Head, Family Medicine at LHSC. “The free supplies are especially meaningful for new mothers and babies and we see how much this support means every day — in smiles, hugs and the relief on their faces when they realize they’re not alone.”

The Women’s Care Cupboard is part of a broader effort to improve health equity. Through the Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health, Shoppers continues its long-standing commitment to women’s health by helping break down persistent barriers to care.

“We’re honoured to support organizations like LHSF to find new ways to provide better access to care and health services for women,” said Paulette Minard, Director, Community Investment, Shoppers Foundation for Women's Health. “We are on a mission to make women’s health visible. The Foundation is doing this by investing $50 million by 2026 through initiatives such as our Community Grants Program to make access to equitable and inclusive care for women in Canada possible.”

This grant provides critical support during a vulnerable time, helping ensure no woman leaves the hospital without the care and supplies she needs. It also highlights the impact that community partnerships can have in advancing equitable care. With support from the Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health, LHSC and LHSF continue to prioritize the needs of women and families in our region, ensuring no one is left behind during life’s most important moments.