CALLED TO SERVE
areas where healthy food is not readily available . These neighborhoods are often home to underprivileged families , and children from these areas face additional challenges brought on by hunger and economic disparity . For this reason , DHC collaborated with JCPS and local students to start the Blessings in a Backpack program in an elementary school . Each month , students identified as “ needing assistance ” are sent home with a backpack full of non-perishable food and school supplies to ease the burden of hunger and poverty .
Unfortunately , the food deserts that prompted the need for Blessings in a Backpack affect people of all ages . So , in May of 2022 , DHC was approved for the Panera Day-End Dough-Nation Program . Each week , we pick up bread , bagels , muffins and other items that were not sold the previous day from a Louisville Panera Bread location , and we deliver that food to low-income senior living apartments and other nonprofits capable of food distribution . Before Thanksgiving , various families from different schools are identified based on income level , and holiday meal assistance gift cards and frozen turkeys are provided . Similarly , Christmas gifts are supplied with the help of local partners to various schools and children ’ s hospitals in Jefferson and Fayette counties .
In the past few years , DHC has built significant partnerships with schools separate from the programs listed above . There is a regular delivery of clothes for “ clothing pantries ,” school supplies , reusable water bottles and hygiene products in various schools throughout Jefferson County , and a few schools in Fayette and Warren County as well . We deliver hygiene care packages that include basic supplies like toothpastes , toothbrushes , deodorant , dental floss , soap and hand sanitizer . After devastating tornadoes hit western Kentucky in December 2021 , funds were raised , and supplies delivered to support those who lost their homes in towns such as Mayfield and Dawson Springs .
Anywhere that DHC can make a difference , we work to do so . Whether its performing physical examinations for newly arrived refugees , delivering lunch to English as a Second Language ( ESL ) teachers , supplying more than 100 Christmas gift cards to families in Bell County , or collaborating with other fantastic organizations such as Dare to Care , the Kroger Family of Companies , Backside Learning Center , Kalia ’ s Kloset , Sammies Jammies and others , the mindset is always focused on collaboration for the greater good .
During the pandemic , health care workers were on the forefront . DHC acknowledged various staff in area hospitals , COVID-19 testing sites and long-term care facilities by occasionally providing them with lunch to ease their long workdays .
Homelessness is widespread in the country , and Kentucky is no exception . DHC regularly supports area organizations like Uniting Partners , St . John Center for Men and St . Vincent DePaul for various needs such as blankets , winter clothes and more .
Our success is due in part to a great group of volunteers and dedicated board members , led with gusto by Executive Director Debbie Harper . Debbie is a former registered nurse who has thrown her heart into enacting change as an ambassador for DHC in communities throughout Louisville and the state of Kentucky .
Helping JCPS staff with physicals for children in JCPS .
Consider following us on Facebook (@ docsforhealth ) or Twitter (@ DocsHealthComm ). In spring 2023 , we ’ ll be hosting our third annual silent auction to raise money for the initiatives featured in this article , and we would love to have your support . All items in the auction are Kentucky based , and every penny raised goes to support children and families in need .
Opportunities are always available to volunteer or collaborate with DHC . School supplies are a need that never goes away , and the winter months often find DHC volunteers delivering blankets and coats to shelters in downtown Louisville . If you ’ re aware of a community project where you believe DHC can make a difference , reach out to us via email ( dhcus502 @ gmail . com ), social media or through our webpage ( www . dhcus . org ).
Dr . Babar is President of Doctors for Healthy Communities and Muslim Americans for Compassion . He is also president of the Board of Trustees of Compassionate Louisville . In addition to leading those organizations , he serves on the boards of Dare to Care , Family Community Clinic , the Center for Interfaith Relations , the Muhammad Ali Center and the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education .
Dr . Saleem is Vice President of Doctors for Healthy Communities and Muslim Americans for Compassion . He is board certified in Family Medicine , Hospice and Palliative Care and Addiction Medicine . He serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor at University of Louisville and Community Faculty at University of Kentucky . He also serves as vice president at The Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure .
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