Utica, NY — Upstate Family Health Center (UFHC), will be unveiling a new food cupboard for patients in need on Tuesday, January 17th, at 2 pm. The cupboard will be located inside the entrance of the health center at 1001 Noyes St. in Utica.
“Our mission here is building bridges to better healthcare by providing primary health services to individuals of all ages throughout the Mohawk Valley,” said Rich Williams, COO at UFHC. “Our staff does that by ensuring that patient needs come first. Sometimes that means providing food to patients who come to the Center hungry. We’re now able to offer limited food resources to patients in need until they are able to access food and groceries on their own from other sources.”
UFHC in Utica has recently changed the process of making food available to those who need it. In a move to be more patient-friendly, the food cupboard is now located at the entrance to the Upstate Family Health Center, before entering the main waiting area. Patients may help themselves to the food, which is in pre-packaged carry-away bags with balanced options of non-perishable protein, fruits, vegetables, and grains.
This change makes the food easier for patients to get and removes barriers such as filling out forms to gather personal information and to determine eligibility, which may prevent some patients from getting food. It also frees up staff time to help patients with other health-related needs.
Patients who access food at UFHC will get information about local food resources so that they know where else they can find more support, such as:
-Rescue Mission of Utica St. John’s Outreach
-Community Food Pantry @ Rescue Mission Utica Food Pantry
-Salvation Army of Utica OC Dept. of Social Services
In conjunction with the food cupboard, MVCAA will be offering a sock collection on site as well for patients in need.
For more information, or to know how to donate food or socks, please contact Williams at (315) 624-9473.
Upstate Family Health Center, Inc. is a 501(c)(3), not for profit, federally qualified health center, offering family health care services to individuals of all ages at various locations including Utica and Rome throughout the Mohawk Valley. The experienced and dedicated staff provide the highest level of care, while ensuring that the patient’s needs come first. Upstate Family Health Center, building bridges to better healthcare.
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