EDINBURG, TX - Little Bear Produce is making a difference in the lives of children, announcing the development of the Little Bear Produce Child Life Endowment in collaboration with Driscoll Children’s Hospital.

“We are deeply humbled to be able to support the amazing work at Driscoll,” Jimmy Bassetti, President and Chief Executive Officer for J&D/Little Bear, said. “Family is at the heart and soul of everything we do at Little Bear; we are blessed to be able to give back and provide a bit of comfort, support, and love to South Texas children and their families who find themselves in difficult circumstances.”

The endowment will be used to support the development of healthful programming and play activities in the South Texas-based Children’s hospital, a press release explained.

“Driscoll Children’s Hospital Rio Grande Valley, the Valley’s first designated children’s hospital, is scheduled to open and provide care for our first patient in May 2024,” Matt Wolthoff, President of Driscoll Children’s Hospital Rio Grande Valley, said. “Among all of the dedicated pediatric services offered at the hospital, the Child Life Program is critical to world-class pediatric care. Child Life Specialists are highly trained members of the care team and ensure a pediatric-focused experience that includes opportunities for play, activities, health, and socialization.”

Founded in 1953, Driscoll Children’s Hospital is a designated children’s hospital with a focus on delivering lifesaving care, groundbreaking research, and cutting-edge treatments for sick children throughout the South Texas region including the Rio Grande Valley, Corpus Christi, Victoria, and Laredo.

The Child Life program is set to enhance the patient and family experience during the hospital stay and ensures future follow-up care and good living habits long after a child’s hospital care is complete.

“Food is our medicine; healthy fruits and vegetables play a foundational role in our overall health and food brings families together, all of which are essential components of our company’s core values,” James Bassetti, Chief Operating Officer, added. “The beauty of this initiative is that it will go on in perpetuity; it will always exist with the sole purpose of delivering loving support, health and nutritional education, physical activities, and emotional support for sick children and their families.”

Cheers to Little Bear Produce for this impactful effort!