News
American College of Physicians’ PA Eastern Chapter and The Wright Center collaborating to host pop-up food pantry at Weston Field
The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education and the American College of Physicians’ Pennsylvania (PA-ACP) Eastern Chapter are addressing food insecurity in the region by co-hosting the second annual Spring into a Day of Giving Pop-Up Food Pantry on Friday, March 14, from noon to 3 p.m. at Weston Field in Scranton.
The free program at Weston Field, 928 Providence Road, Scranton, is open to the public. Free prepackaged bags of nonperishable food will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each bag will contain a variety of shelf-stable pantry staples such as pasta, canned soup, vegetables, tuna, chicken, and more. The food is provided by the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank.
Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, also serves as the governor of the American College of Physicians’ Pennsylvania Eastern Chapter. The organizations are co-hosting the Spring into a Day of Giving Pop-Up Food Pantry on March 14, from noon to 3 p.m. at Weston Field in Scranton.
The Spring into a Day of Giving Pop-Up Food Pantry will offer more than just food. Attendees can explore educational materials about PA-ACP, learn about dental and behavioral health services available at The Wright Center, and enjoy kid-friendly crafts. Complimentary “Bags of Warmth,” each containing a cozy winter hat, gloves, and a scarf will be available. Guests can also pick up doses of Naloxone, a life- aving medication that quickly reverses the effects of opioid overdoses.
Employees from Lackawanna County and Scranton City government will also be at the event with information about regional resources.
Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, serves as governor of the PA-ACP Eastern Chapter. Staff from The Wright Center, along with resident and fellow physicians from The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, will join members of the PA-ACP Eastern Chapter to volunteer at the event.
“Our Leap Year event at Weston Field on Feb. 29 was a tremendous success,” Gerri McAndrew, director of development and relations for community outreach and co-director of The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement, said about last year’s event. “We recognize the many challenges individuals face in our communities, and hosting an event at this location enables us to connect with people we might not otherwise reach.”
The Pennsylvania Chapter of the ACP is comprised of three regions – Eastern, Western, and Southeastern – and joins over 7,000 members together to speak for Internal Medicine and reflects the interests and concerns of the specialty medical field. Internists in Pennsylvania are welcome to join the organization and can learn more about the college and regional activities by going to pa-acp.org.
