Category: News

Nearly 15% of our community, or 175,000 Austinites, are food insecure and unsure of where they will find their next meal, according to a recent study from Feeding America. At People’s, we believe that everyone deserves access to healthy, quality food. However, we know that accessing healthy food can be a challenge.

Those living in food insecure households are at greater risk of diabetes, obesity, mental health issues, hypertension, and developmental delays in children. Some even face the difficult choice of putting food on the table or foregoing needed medical care. This poses a serious public health concern.

Now, those who are struggling have another option. In November 2022, People’s opened a FoodFARMacy to provide free groceries from the Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB) to patients in need. In the first quarter, since it opened, People’s FoodFARMacy assisted 858 individuals.

WHAT IS PEOPLE’S FOODFARMACY?
Thanks to a partnership with CTFB, People’s FoodFARMacy is stocked weekly with fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, lean proteins like eggs and milk, and shelf-stable items like rice and beans. On Tuesdays, patients may walk in and request groceries at no cost, taking home an average of four to five bags—enough to feed a family.

GOALS
Our goal is to address a patient’s overall health and well-being by improving the conditions into which people are born, live, learn, work, play, and age that impacts their health and quality of life. With this new program, the clinic aims to expand its focus on whole-person health care by addressing hunger. One way to accomplish this is to screen each patient for food insecurity. Research shows that this is often a hidden condition, which is not revealed unless asked directly.

Even with the very best medical care, if someone is food insecure a huge component of his or her health is not addressed. We see People’s FoodFARMacy as an extension of our mission to provide patients with high quality, affordable health care with dignity and respect.

PARTNERSHIP WITH CTFB
People’s FoodFARMacy is Central Texas Food Bank’s first-ever partnership with a medical clinic. Recognizing health is about so much more than just treating ailments, this program will be life-changing for patients who have trouble feeding their families.

THANK YOU
Right now, access to health care is more critical than ever, and the lack of a nutritious diet is compromising the health of far too many people. Thankfully, there is another option: high quality, affordable health care at People’s Community Clinic alongside the FoodFARMacy.

The clinic depends on the generosity of donors like you. THANK YOU for your continued support. Because of you, we are able to provide the care that our patients need and deserve.

 

 With Gratitude,

Regina Rogoff, JD

Chief Executive Officer

People’s Community Clinic

 

 

 

 

MAKE A GIFT

People’s Foundation Board recently hosted a reception and private concert with Ross Holmes and Katie Shore. You can find photos of the event here.

Did you know between 12,000 and 56,000 children and adults die of the flu every year?

Flu season is in full swing, and the CDC dedicates the first full week of December to reminding everyone 6 months and older that it’s not too late to get your flu shot. Although National Influenza Vaccination Week has passed, it’s important to keep fighting flu throughout the season — especially as this flu season is predicted to be particularly serious.

Here at People’s Community Clinic, Immunization Supervisor Chelsea Watson does everything she can to fight flu, ensuring that our patients are vaccinated against this serious, and sometimes deadly, virus.

In your role, how do you prepare for flu season each year?

As the primary vaccine coordinator for our clinic, I help to make sure that we have enough vaccine ordered so that we can give our patients the flu vaccine as soon as possible in the season – after all, the vaccine takes about 2 weeks to take full effect! I also help make sure the vaccine is stored properly, train staff on administering vaccines, provide educational materials about flu for our staff and patients, and help organize flu clinics.

What is the most difficult part of flu prevention?

Combating the overwhelming amount of misinformation about the flu vaccine that is out there!

Why do you think people underestimate the seriousness of flu illness?

Many people underestimate the seriousness of flu because they have not seen firsthand the devastating affects flu can have on patients. Each year hundreds of thousands of patients are hospitalized — and thousands to tens of thousands die – because of the flu, but because people do not always see this firsthand it is hard to remember the seriousness of the disease. Some people think influenza symptoms are like the common cold, but it is much more severe than that. I recently attended a talk where a father bravely told the story of his daughter Emily, a healthy 3 year old girl who died from the flu in 2004. Emily had not been vaccinated against the flu.

Why is it important to get the flu shot every year?

Since the flu virus is always changing it is important to get vaccinated every year. Getting the vaccine means you are not just protecting yourself from flu, but also others who may not be able to get the vaccine, including children less than 6 months of age and people with weakened immune systems. This is called herd immunity and is very important in lessening the chance of the virus spreading. If you get the vaccine and still get the flu, the severity and length of your illness, plus risk of serious complications, can be reduced.

What would you say to those who are hesitant about getting the flu shot?

While the flu shot varies in effectiveness each year, the flu vaccine is safe and our best way of preventing you and your loved ones from getting sick.

 

Thanks, Chelsea, for helping keep the Austin community healthy!

People’s is currently conducting its largest hiring drive ever as we search for talented and dedicated individuals to join our team.
Continue reading “People’s is Hiring!” →

Every day we see a pressing need to expand, to advance, to serve more patients, and to serve them more completely. A new facility will make this a reality. But we need your help. As the go-to health clinic for our most vulnerable citizens, People’s Community Clinic is singularly positioned to make a huge impact on thousands of lives. We invite you to join us in building the health of our community.