‘Topping off’ a new build
Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore signs a beam that was later raised and placed in the new BayCare Wesley Chapel hospital. Also signing is Keri Eisenbeis, vice president of Government Affairs and Community Relations for BayCare. The beam-signing was part of a traditional topping off ceremony on July 16. The new hospital, being built off Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, is expected to open in 2023.
Donations needed
The Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger is seeking donations and local volunteers for its Meals on Wheels for Kids program.
The program’s mission is to provide nutritious home-delivered, shelf-stable meal ingredients, produce and prepared meals to transportation-disadvantaged and/or homebound children and their families who lack adequate access to food distribution locations throughout the community.
Meals on Wheels for Kids provides a weekly delivery of meals and shelf-stable groceries, as resources allow.
All donations go to providing these deliveries to children enrolled in the program.
Donations will be accepted via the program’s website, NetworkToEndHunger.org/mow4k/, or by calling 813-344-5837. If no one answers, please leave a message and someone will return your call within 24 hours.
Homebound vaccines
The Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) has launched “We Will Meet You at Home,” to ensure that every older adult who wants a vaccine will receive one, according to a news release.
The initiative builds upon other programs throughout the state to provide homebound seniors access to COVID-19 vaccinations.
While many of Florida’s older residents have received a COVID-19 vaccination, not every senior is able to leave their home.
In these cases, the Florida DOEA and the state’s 11 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are offering seniors access to transportation to go and receive a vaccine. Elders also have the option of having a health care worker bring the vaccine to their front door.
DOEA’s statewide initiative is distributing over 175,000 informational flyers to older homebound adults requesting more information about vaccines or vaccine access.
The AAAs made tens of thousands of outbound wellness calls over a two-month period to identify people requesting more resources.
The DOEA’s Area Agencies on Aging connect seniors with community providers to get a ride to a doctor’s office, a pharmacy, a grocery store, or another vaccination site. The local AAAs also may assist in arranging a health care professional to come to the individual’s house to receive a vaccination.
If you or someone you know would like assistance with transportation in getting to a COVID-19 vaccination appointment or would like a health provider to bring a shot to your front door, call 800-963-5337, or email .
