PREPARING FOR Distribution Day...All Hands on Deck!
Volunteers go to work at HGM CDC in preparation for food and household item distribution day at the food pantry. Truckloads of food and household items are delivered from Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana. Cases of items are placed in storage for packaging and distribution. Individuals line up to receive much needed food and household items. Registration of new participants are ongoing. In 2019 HGM CDC Food Pantry was named Outstanding Agency by Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana at the Empty Bowls Event. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic HGM CDC Food Pantry starts concrete and awning for its Drive-Thru Pantry with CDC Guidelines of social distancing and mask wearing for safety.
Project FISH (Feeding, Intervening, Screening & Health)
The St. Luke’s Episcopal Mobile Medical Ministry provides free blood pressure checks, diabetes screening and clinical breast exams monthly via mobile van which coordinates their visits with a food distribution day to provide health education classes on hypertension, diabetes, obesity, exercise and healthy lifestyles while food bank participants wait for food to be packed and brought to their cars. A collaborative effort between St. Luke’s and DeSoto Healthcare Center (a Rural Health Clinic), both of which are 501(c)3 organizations, allows for individuals who are screened with abnormal blood pressures or blood sugars to be referred on site with an appointment for medical intervention with an office visit at discounted costs, on a “regardless of ability to pay” basis. This project has been instrumental in locating and capturing individuals who do not have a primary care provider due to lack of insurance or finances. Some individuals have a primary care provider, however, lack routine follow-up due to lack of transportation or refusal to go as scheduled due to long waiting periods. Project FISH, uses this process to introduce health care to individuals who may otherwise not receive screenings and interventions, in addition to providing food and household items to vulnerable populations. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused these services to be temporarily suspended. A public service announcement will be made when the services are restarted.
INSIDE THE MOBILE MEDICAL VAN
St. Luke's Episcopal Mobile Medical Ministry staff provide free health care screenings for food pantry participants. Blood pressure and blood glucose screenings are performed. Clinical breast exams are also available inside the van in a private exam area of the van.
OUTSIDE THE MOBILE Medical VAN
St. Luke's Episcopal Mobile Medical Ministry staff waits for HGM CDC Food Pantry participants to sign up for their health screenings. A delivery truck from Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana makes a delivery of food and household items.
