Hospital Corner

DAYTON–The once bustling Touchet Valley Café at Dayton General Hospital, a beloved spot for staff, visitors, and local high school students, has remained closed to the public since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The café, known for its nutritious meals, vibrant salad bar, homemade soups, and daily specials, was a cherished fixture in the community.

In a recent letter to the editor, a community member reminisced about enjoying meals at the café, particularly the clam chowder on Fridays. They questioned whether local COVID-19 infection concerns were still the reason behind the café's closure and suggested that reopening it could benefit the hospital district financially and socially.

The Café also catered community events, offering competitive prices and outstanding food quality. The letter urged the Board of Commissioners, CEO, and staff to consider reopening the café to the public, highlighting how it once served as an affordable lunch spot for Dayton High School students and facilitated community engagement.

In response, officials from Columbia County Health System acknowledged the café's value to the community and expressed their desire to reopen it. However, they cited significant challenges that have prevented this from happening.

"We appreciate the value the Café presents for the community and reopening remains one of our goals as a community hub," said the response. "The challenges continue to be space and staffing."

The letter detailed the current strain on hospital resources, with a notable increase in meal production.

The dietary services department now provides 250 meals per week to the Senior Center double the pre-COVID number; 280 meals per week for 22 children at RoseMary's Place childcare; 210-280 meals per week for 30-40 children through a library-based summer meal program; 735 meals per week to Rivers Walk residents, because of the higher census, this is double the number of meals since moving to the Assisted Living model of long term care; increased meal services due to a higher hospital census; and meals for a growing number of employees, which has increased from 188 in 2019 to 276 currently.

Given these demands, the hospital has prioritized its resources to ensure meals are provided to those with the highest need and with the most vulnerability, including patients, Rivers Walk residents, children in childcare and community programs, the Senior Center, and employees.

"We are focusing our available resources on the areas with the highest impact for the community," the response stated.

The closure of the Touchet Valley Café to the public reflects the broader staffing and resource challenges faced by many local businesses and institutions. Despite these difficulties, Dayton General Hospital continues to serve as a vital lifeline for the community, ensuring that those in need receive nutritious meals.

While the future reopening of the café remains uncertain, the hospital's commitment to supporting the community through its dietary services underscores the enduring spirit of generosity and care that defines Dayton.