MetroHealth’s Helping Hand Fund Meets Growing Demand For Emergency Supplies to People Affected by COVID-19 Outbreak
MetroHealth Helping Hand Food Giveaway from MetroHealth on Vimeo.
CLEVELAND – MetroHealth employees this week began making deliveries to the doorsteps of people who have been impacted by COVID-19. On Monday and Tuesday, more than 100 bags of food were delivered to households in the neighborhoods surrounding MetroHealth Medical Center.
The bags – filled with broccoli, zucchini and corn on the cob, along with soap and recommendations on preventing the spread of COVID-19 – were assembled at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank by the staff from the MetroHealth Institute for H.O.P.E.™ and other employee volunteers.
One custom delivery even included a supply of diapers.
A driver with MetroHealth’s School Health Program was deployed to assist with the deliveries, which went to patients and community members who normally visit the monthly fresh produce distribution at the Outpatient Pavilion on main campus. Other bags were dropped off at MetroHealth’s Emergency Department and to patients who depend on MetroHealth vans for transportation to and from medical appointments and who are also regulars at the monthly fresh produce distribution.
The MetroHealth Institute for H.O.P.E.™ is coordinating additional efforts to provide food, supplies, and non-prescription medication and other assistance to people whose clinical providers have directed them to stay at home, in quarantine. These efforts will continue, in collaboration with local service organizations, as resources allow.
MetroHealth’s Helping Hand Fund is accepting monetary donations for the purchase and delivery of needed supplies.
The dedicated MetroHealth support line at 440-59-COVID (440-592-6843) has been set up to field requests for help. Patients who are directed to stay at home under quarantine following the medical assessment over the phone will be referred to additional resources provided by the Helping Hand Fund.
“As demand increases, we might need to rely on other delivery services,” said Susan Fuehrer, President, Institute for H.O.P.E.™ “We’re looking at alternative delivery models that will allow us to respond to more people quickly.”
Patients can contact the MetroHealth Pharmacy at 216-957-6337 for delivery services for their prescription medications. CVS is also delivering prescriptions and patients should contact their local store.
For additional information and on-line resources, including how to donate to the Helping Hand Fund, visit http://www.metrohealth.org/covid19help.
Founded in 1837, MetroHealth is leading the way to a healthier you and a healthier community through service, teaching, discovery, and teamwork. Cuyahoga County’s public, safety-net hospital system, MetroHealth meets people where they are, providing care through four hospitals, four emergency departments, and more than 20 health centers and 40 additional sites. Each day, our 8,000 employees focus on providing our community with equitable health care–through patient-focused research, access to care, and support services–that seeks to eradicate health disparities rooted in systematic barriers. For more information, visit metrohealth.org.
