Iredell County, NC – On Friday, October 13th, 2023, NC MedAssist brought a Mobile Free Pharmacy Event to Iredell County where a total of 955 people received over-the-counter (OTC) medications either through in person or homebound delivery. The free community health event was open to any individual in need of over-the-counter medicines such as allergy, daily vitamins, and first aid supplies. The event took place at the Statesville Civic Center and was sponsored by the Iredell County Public Health Department and Kewaunee Scientific Corporation. The following organizations were also involved in planning and supporting the community health event: The United Way of Iredell County, Kintegra Health, Partners Behavioral Health, HealthReach Community Clinic, Iredell County Partnership for Young Children, and the Statesville Police Department.
What was our immediate impact?
“We saw an overwhelming outcome with half of the attendees either being uninsured or on Medicare/Medicaid and 16% of those attendees being senior citizens. This community health event was able reach those in our community experiencing financial struggle in attaining basic over-the-counter medications for them and their family members,” says Emily Speece, Area Practice Administrator with Kintegra Health. “With half of our attendants claiming access to these medications may have prevented visits to the local Emergency Room, this event’s impact increased the health and well-being of residents in Iredell County,” says Sara Helmick, Senior Director of Community Investment with the United Way of Iredell County.
In addition, local health and human service-related vendors and nonprofit organizations distributed 19,770 female hygiene pads, 840 Covid-19 testing kits, 30 flu vaccines, and 20 families received free installations of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in home.
Participating vendors who contributed to the success of this event: Partners Health Management, Kintegra Health, Iredell County Parks and Recreation, City of Statesville Recreation & Parks Department, Mooresville Kindness Closet, Banner Drug, Piedmont Mediation, YMCA Statesville, Statesville Housing Authority, YMCA Statesville, Yokefellow Ministries, Boys and Girls Club of the Piedmont, Iredell EMS, Iredell Health Systems, Fifth Street Ministries, Lake Norman Regional Medical Center, Davis Regional Health, Healthy Blue, Insight Human Services, Iredell County Council on Aging, Iredell County Fire Marshall, Statesville Police Department, Pharos Parenting, and Iredell County Partnership for Young Children.
“We also want to thank the 100+ volunteers who worked in key areas day of to make this community health event happen. Our community is better because of these incredible people. Thank you for giving your time to serve your community. It is events like these where we see residents come out to help and support their neighbors who are in need, and it really is amazing to watch and see this community come together,” says Jody Taylor, Director of Marketing & Digital Engagement with the United Way of Iredell County.
About NC MedAssist: NC MedAssist is the only statewide charitable pharmacy in North Carolina providing free prescription and over-the-counter medication to our neighbors who lack prescription insurance. Their mission is to remove barriers to healthcare that thousands of North Carolinians face and provide the opportunity to access free over-the-counter medication, supplements, and a variety of necessary resources to increase health, well-being, and economic mobility for ALL NC residents. Go to www.medassist.org to learn more.
About your local United Way: The United Way of Iredell County improves our community and its people by uniting partners to meet local health and human service needs. We must all do our part, working United, to make our communities the places that we need them to be – equitable, respectful, and opportunity-filled. We, as a society, can and must do better to guarantee that the basic human rights and freedoms of every person in every community are protected. Our Charge – United Way of Iredell County fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in Iredell County. Go to www.uwiredell.org to learn more.
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