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Community Corner

Visiting Nurse Association of South Central CT Seeking Food Donations for Pam's Pantry

New Haven (August 5, 2013) – John R. Quinn, President & CEO of the Visiting Nurse Association of South Central Connecticut (VNA/SCC), recently announced that VNA/SCC is accepting donations for non-perishable food items to restock the shelves of Pam’s Pantry.

The Pam’s Pantry program was started 14 years ago when Pam Gent, Clinical Manager of Acute East Team, realized that many of the visiting nurses had been purchasing groceries for needy patients. She decided to open the effort up so that all staff could pitch in and help. Each year the VNA/SCC distributes Thanksgiving baskets to about 75 needy families. Pam’s Pantry also runs a gift-giving program for Christmas to give gifts to some less fortunate patients.

“Thanks to all the VNA/SCC staff and Board, Webster Bank, and an annual food drive held at Yale-New Haven Hospital, Pam’s Pantry is able to continue to offer these programs to the community. Now we need the support of the general community to help restock the shelves for Pam’s Pantry,” commented Quinn.

Although the holidays are still a few months away, many of our patients need the food supplies throughout the year. We are looking for non-perishable food items such as: cereal, oatmeal, juice, pasta, spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, jelly, tuna fish, macaroni and cheese, canned fruit/vegetables, soup, toiletries, crackers, coffee/tea, cranberry sauce, turkey gravy, boxed potato mixes and any other non perishable items.

To contribute to Pam’s Pantry, please contact Pam Gent at 203-859-6105 or pgent@vnascc.org. To make a contribution to support the VNA/SCC’s mission of providing a wide array of high-quality health services for individuals in the home and community, including the Pam’s Pantry program, please contact Melissa Healy, Community Development Specialist, at 203-859-6054 or mhealy@vnascc.org. You can also donate online at www.razoo.com/story/Vna-Of-South-Central-Ct.

About VNA Health Systems


VNA Health Systems is comprised of the Visiting Nurse Association of South Central Connecticut (VNA/SCC) and CareSource, Inc.

Founded in 1904, the VNA/SCC, which is the original VNA of New Haven, Milford, East Haven, and the Valley, is a state licensed, non-profit, community-based home health care agency. The VNA/SCC staff consists of highly skilled nurses, therapists, medical social workers and home health aides. A vital resource to the communities it serves, the VNA/SCC provides a wide range of specialized clinical services, community programs, the Nurturing Families Network and subsidized care, (through the Valley United Way and First Niagara Foundation) to those who are in need. The agency employs over 180 staff members, has an average daily census of over 900 patients and makes over 150,000 home visits per year. The agency is the founder of the Nightingale Awards for Excellence in Nursing. The VNA/SCC is supported in part by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, Valley United Way, First Niagara, corporate sponsors and individual donors. To learn more about the VNA/SCC visit www.vnascc.org.

CareSource strives to maximize the quality of life for its clients and their caregivers in the home and health care settings. Their services include homemakers, companions and live-in aides. To learn more about CareSource visit www.caresourceinc.org.

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