FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Salem Pantry and Mass General Brigham Partner to Provide Weekly Walk-In Clinics at The Market
Salem, MA (July 23, 2024) – The Salem Pantry is excited to continue its partnership with Mass General Brigham to bring their Community Care Van to The Market in the late summer months. This collaboration increases access to essential healthcare services for residents of Salem and neighboring communities.
“Our work with Mass General Brigham is an important part of our commitment to creating an overall healthier community,” said Director of Programs and Partnerships Mike Lilley. “It allows us to address both the immediate need for food and the long-term health needs of our neighbors.”
Every week, the Community Care Van is stationed at The Market, offering health services including blood pressure screenings, diabetes screenings and care, health education, and care kits. These services are available to all individuals, with no appointment necessary.
“Community Care vans extend the front door of our hospital into the neighborhoods we serve, providing place-based care. Our efforts aim not only to deliver clinical care but also to address social risks, such as food insecurity, which significantly impact health. Community partnerships like these at food pantries are essential to the care we strive to deliver,” said Priya Sarin Gupta, MD MPH, medical director, Clinical Community Programs at Mass General Brigham.
This service is a valuable addition to The Salem Pantry’s long-standing partnership with Mass General Brigham and Salem Hospital. Together, they offer a weekly mobile pantry at the North Shore Physicians Group Salem location and have developed the pantry’s Food is Medicine program and nutritional services. Mass General Bringham has also been a crucial financial supporter of The Salem Pantry since 2022.
The Market currently hosts an average of 1,350 weekly visits from residents of Salem and surrounding areas, including Lynn, Peabody, and Beverly. The addition of the Community Care Van will further support the health and well-being of these communities.
For more information about The Salem Pantry’s services and Walk-In Clinic hours, please visit www.thesalempantry.org.
About The Salem Pantry
The Salem Pantry, recently named the 2024 Greater Boston Food Bank Community Partner of the Year, provides the North Shore with convenient access to fresh, free, healthy food. Its innovative mobile pantries, home delivery program, food distribution hub, and The Market offer abundant produce, proteins, spices, and dairy products. They partner with local farmers and health organizations to serve over 3,600 households and distribute over 300,000 pounds of food per month.
Contact:
Kia Fernandes, Marketing and Communications Manager