How can caring Texans help neighborhoods that are medically underserved? In Texas, there are several ways to help underserved neighborhoods, and some are more effective than others. It is important to do a little research on each nonprofit organization a person considers giving money to. Do they have a nonprofit 501(c)(3) certification? Are there projects a person can check out to see how successful they are? One non-profit organization that is making a difference is the LifeSavers Foundation.
What Help Do Medically Underserved Neighborhoods Need the Most?
Medically underserved neighborhoods need more clinics, doctors, and nurses. When it is not possible to build a permanent clinic, mobile clinics can help community residents get much-needed medical attention. By going to lifesaversfoundation.org, a person can read about the service this group provides with free mobile medical services. It also operates a resale store to generate money for its work.
Healthy, nutritious food is often lacking in these neighborhoods. People suffering from diseases such as kidney disease, diabetes, and heart disease need good-quality, nutritious food to maintain a higher level of health. Living in a food desert can affect everyone’s ability to stay healthy. Organizations that provide prescriptions for healthy food and a place to fill them see an improvement in patients’ health outcomes.
People in underserved neighborhoods may also need transportation to medical facilities to get the treatments they need. Many people in poor neighborhoods miss medical appointments due to a lack of transportation. Then there are many patients who are homebound and need the care to come to them or special transportation that meets their needs.
Housing security is another need for people in poor neighborhoods that are medically underserved. A lack of stable housing can have serious health effects. People who are homeless or in danger of losing their homes have a hard time getting healthy and staying healthy. What if coming up with the rent means not taking needed medication? What if after coming up with rent, there is not enough money to buy adequate food? It all has adverse effects on health. Being homeless creates even more health challenges.
No health insurance or limited health insurance coverage is another problem that causes adverse health effects. Providing everyone in these poor neighborhoods with affordable healthcare coverage would make a substantial difference in health outcomes.
Education, or lack of it, is also a serious factor in poverty and people living in underserved neighborhoods getting the healthcare they need and knowing how to eat in a healthy way. Education programs that show people how to eat healthier on small budgets would be helpful. Educational programs on how to deal with different health issues would also help these people get healthier.
Giving to Resale Stores That Are Run By Nonprofits That Help Underserved Neighborhoods
These resale stores run by organizations such as LifeSavers are located in towns in Texas such as Richardson. There are three ways to help these stores earn money for this good cause
1. Donate merchandise or money to the store near you. They accept furniture, home decor, small appliances, clothing, books, DVDs or CDs, linens, Jewelry, and more.
2. Shop at these restores knowing the money spent goes to a good cause.
3. Ask about the possibility of helping to open a resale store to support the organization in your town. It takes a lot of dedicated people to open and run these stores, but the effort is well worth it.
Who Benefits From These Programs?
Organizations such as LifeSavers Foundation give medical services to under-served women, families, and children in Texas.
Some of the services performed include doctor spot visits, administering vaccinations, donating diapers and car seats, and performing mobile sonograms. These services help people in need of medical and parenting services in under-served neighborhoods. Each organization offers different services, so check with each one to determine what’s needed.
