While we were at the free lunch on Tuesday, J asked me, "what are those people doing?" I looked. We went to the three tables. At the first was information on nutrition and meal planning. I graciously accepted what the woman gave me, even though I probably know all of it. She also gave us a nice, sturdy tote bag and two snack bars.
At the next table, the free clinic was taking blood pressure, pulse, testing for blood sugar, and something else. I skipped that table. J took information for herself for the free clinic.
The last and third table gave me full-sized OTCs:
*Zyrtec children's allergy grape syrup, 4 ounces. Adults can use it, too. I do use the Zyrtec tablets.
* Bandaid bandages, box of 20, two sizes, decorative. Yes, Bandaid brand!
*Imodium, 24 caplets. I hope not to need this.
*Enema, saline, one bottle, 4.5 ounces. I will avoid this.
*Tylenol adults, cold and mucus severe, liquid 8 ounces.
*Hydrogen peroxide, 3%, 8 ounces.
When I told them I did not need the free clinic, so I could just give these back, they insisted the things were for anyone. J does need the free clinic! Even though this free lunch is not for just the disadvantaged, I have noticed many more attend. But, so do the church members attend in greater numbers than before.
So, yesterday was doubly free--two meals and all of the above.
Your turn
Does your church ever allow clinics to come to educate people about nutrition, free clinic, and give out free OTC? Isn't this a great program?
NOt a church, but at the local farmer's market here in my new city, there often is a booth set up by the community health center with some freebies, as well as a booth for info on SNAP, nutrition thru the state college system etc. We have soup kitchens, I am as yet unaware of any free lunches for Seniors otherwise
ReplyDeleteCTMOM,
DeleteI remember seeing a booth at a local festival a few years ago where the free clinic had info of all kinds. That had slipped my mind. I did not go to it, so I have no idea what all it was about.
The one soup kitchen failed because it had a cardboard sign out front--Soup Kitchen. I told the guy that was demeaning. He had never seen soup kitchen pictures of hoards lining up during the Depression. A friend and I went out of curiosity. The spaghetti was delicious. However, the soup was chicken noodle dumped into one of those huge vats that are portable, like churches use. I would usually collect my bottle of water and dessert and leave. Finally, I just was not interested in what was served.
The lunches I go to are not for Seniors, just for everyone. Politicians show up during election cycles. Police, office workers, people working the farmer's market.
There will be a senior day and lunch at the strawberry festival and several other events.
Thanks for the information.
We have nice dinners served most nights downtown with various churches volunteering. I've helped a few times myself and brought food and it's open to anyone. Actually a lot of college students come! There are health fairs held periodically. I have attended and usually got a few freebies myself- pen, tote, ruler, etc- nothing real exciting.Since I work in social services, I know quite a few resources in town. We have several food pantries and even a decent dental clinic 'manned' by volunteer dentists.
ReplyDeleteNan,
DeleteThat's interesting. I am quite sure college students would be interested since most are always hungry. Your town is larger than this small town. I worked for an educational organization where social workers of all sorts brought us information once a month and usually small freebies like you mentioned. I do love totes! In a larger town near here, I became a fount of knowledge for resources for students, friends of friends, nothing I ever used or needed. The free clinic here has dental services available--pulling teeth for adults, fillings and cleanings for children. thanks.
Linda I am not aware of free medical supplies. But we have a free lunch locally that is very popular. The menu varies wildly because they receive leftover fancy catering one day and hot dogs the next. But they get very good bread from a grocery bakery to give out .and one of the workers told me the unsliced is the last to go. You can judge the economy by the increasing numbers who eat there.
ReplyDeletecarol,
DeleteI have heard about places like that receiving catered leftovers. I think I might prefer the unsliced bread. There is a place here where seniors can get one free loaf of bread on Monday. I can imagine the worsening economy would be reflected in the numbers coming in to eat. Good deal for all those who eat.
Usually, anywhere that is giving meds only gives samples, like two aspirins in a little pack. The fact these were full-size was such a surprise. thanks.