Independent Health Foundation distributing free school supplies in underserved communities

‘Good for the Neighborhood’ events will also offer fresh produce & free health screenings

It’s time to start getting ready for school! Free school supplies, including paper, notebooks, folders, pencils, glue sticks, crayons and markers, will be distributed by the Independent Health Foundation, while supplies last, at four locations in underserved communities on the following dates:

√ 5:30 p.m. July 20 at West Side Community Center, 161 Vermont St., Buffalo

√ 6 p.m. Aug. 2 at Galanti Park, 230 Martin Road, Lackawanna

√ 10 a.m. Aug. 6 at Rural Outreach Center (ROC), South Wales Community Hall, 6387 Olean Road, South Wales

√ 4:30 p.m. Aug. 10 at Westminster Charter School, 24 Westminster Ave., Buffalo

Fresh produce and health screenings will also be offered as part of this “Good for the Neighborhood” program of the Independent Health Foundation. Such events are free to attend and held in community centers, schools and businesses throughout the City of Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Akron and Lackawanna.

Additionally, those who attend this “Good for the Neighborhood” event can visit with community groups and resources, including: Habitat for Humanity, Caption Call, Stern at Home, FeedMore WNY, Greenlight Networks, Banner Farms, Recycle, Smile Team, Buffalo Employment and Training Center, Board of Block Clubs, Ask the Pharmacist, Melinated Moms, Young Audiences of WNY, Good Neighbors Credit Union and Jericho Road East Side Programs/Medically Oriented Gym.

“Having all the supplies necessary to attend school is important, but not possible for some families as they look forward to the upcoming school year,” said Carrie Meyer, executive director of the Independent Health Foundation. “As challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic remain, there is an overwhelming need for some basic necessities and continued support to help families get and stay healthy that we strive to address through our ‘Good for the Neighborhood’ program.”

“Good for the Neighborhood” is a free, community-based wellness program of the Independent Health Foundation that brings health-related training and tools to areas where access to health care is limited. Traditionally, the program hosts health fair-style events quarterly at sites in Western New York that offer free access to healthy food, health
screenings, and blood pressure checks, workshops and, once each year, free school supplies. More information is available online at www.goodfortheneighborhood.com.

The Independent Health Foundation works to improve the health and well-being of Western New York residents through awareness, prevention, education and other programs focused on community health priorities. For more information about the Independent Health Foundation’s activities, visit www.independenthealth.com/foundation.

The Independent Health Foundation was founded in 1992 after the original organizers of First Night Buffalo asked Independent Health to become a sponsor. After the third year of First Night, which has become one of the foundation’s signature events as a family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration for Western New York, the Independent Health Foundation was founded to produce the event – and has continued to do so for the past 30 years.