November 9, 2020
(Austin, Texas) – Central Health-affiliated CommUnityCare Health Centers, along with Capital Metro and Austin Public Health (APH), are delivering food to people quarantined due to COVID-19.
On Friday, APH provided 39 food boxes for 14 CommUnityCare patients who are food insecure. Since the program began in March, served 122 families; delivered 545 boxes of food, 13 fans and 4 water boiler and warmer (for families with babies).
Each food box contains 20-30 pounds of food, including pasta, tuna and beans, as well as fresh produce, eggs, and milk. In addition to food, Capital Metro drivers deliver necessities such as diapers, medication, and fans.
“Many residents in Travis County, including thousands of children, were already food insecure before the pandemic. The problem is magnified for patients quarantining due to COVID-19. Either they’ve tested positive, they’ve been exposed to the virus, or they’re at high-risk and need to stay home,” CommUnityCare Chief Operating Officer Yvonne Camarena said.
The program is a collaboration of resources and expertise. Nurses operating CommUnityCare’s COVID-19 hotline (512-978-8775) refer patients to CommUnityCare’s community health workers, who assess each patient’s needs. APH supplies the food boxes, and Capital Metro drivers deliver the packages directly to patients’ homes.
“We are also very thankful for El Buen Samaritano and Seven Day Adventist Church for supplying us with fresh produce and nonperishable goods to give to families,” Camarena said.