CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – CVS Health Foundation announced a $2.24 million investment to improve quality of life for neighbors in West Charlotte through food and healthcare services.
The initiative is called the Westside Wellness Collab. Nearly 20,000 people call Historic West End home.
The investment will provide neighbors on the West Side access to fresh produce from a local farm. Twice a month, residents can get fresh fruits and vegetables. Hot meals will also be available. The service is for seniors who often lack access to get to a grocery store.
“It creates an atmosphere of not feeling like we don’t have anything or it can give us security food security knowing that we won’t be hungry regardless of whether we’ll be able to go to the store at least this provides a meal for the seniors,” said Gilda Stitt, a Historic West End neighbor.
Food and healthcare services
Neighbors in cars lined up to take advantage of the service. All of this takes place at First Baptist Church West.
Ralphine Caldwell is the senior executive director of Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). She started organizing the collaboration about a year ago.
“It’s not just a government thing everyone should be involved in making sure that our seniors have the support they need to age in place and to be able to thrive in their particular community,” Caldwell said.
In addition to food, there will be a preventative healthcare component. Twice a month a mobile health clinic will be there for screenings.
Patsy Burkins is with the Charlotte Community Services Association. Her office is at First Baptist Church West.
“Silently they are walking around with no insurance saying I just hope nothing happens or they are the working poor they don’t qualify for food stamps or anything like that so people are quiet about it, but it doesn’t mean the need isn’t there,” Burkins said.
This is one of six health zones CVS has created nationwide. The funding is for three years.
Ed DeVaney is the executive vice president for CVS Health. He is optimistic about the future of the program.
“In three years from now we will obviously assess but based up the activities today you can see us and count on CVS health continuing to play a large part in the Charlotte community,” DeVaney said.
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