BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Local Dignity Health hospitals are makin' it easier on their healthcare employees and loved ones during this time with an announcement to launch onsite "grocery stores".

Mercy and Memorial hospitals will open up their own markets to provide some relief to their employees and families by offering a safe area to shop for necessities, starting Wednesday, April 8 at noon.

“We know that our entire community is challenged with finding needed items on grocery store shelves, but for our nurses, physicians, and other care providers, the ability to find anything they might need is made worse by the long hours they are working,” said Robin Mangarin-Scott, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Dignity Health Central California. “We hope this small gesture of kindness allows them to buy what they need, as quickly as possible, so they can go home to get the rest they need to continue to heal our community one patient at a time.”

The Mercy and Memorial Markets will be partnered with Samco Food Stores and Grimmway Farms. They will be open to employees during regular cafeteria business hours seven days a week as long as the service is needed.