County seeks volunteers to help deliver care kits to homes
Henrico County is participating in a state program that will deliver personal protective equipment and COVID-19 health information to residents in targeted neighborhoods throughout the county Thursday, Aug. 27 and Friday, Aug. 28.
Henrico is seeking volunteers to help with the effort, which will distribute 20,000 reusable cloth face coverings, bottles of hand sanitizer and informational materials packed in care kits. Volunteers can register and obtain additional information about the community canvassing events set for Thursday and Friday through HandsOn Greater Richmond.
Henrico is partnering with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and the state Health Equity Working Group to provide the COVID-19 resources. Henrico previously delivered face coverings and health information to approximately 25,000 homes in mass-distribution events held in May.
The state’s Health Equity Pilot Program aims to increase access to personal protective equipment and other materials in underserved and historically disadvantaged areas that may be disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. The program works to identify communities most in need and at risk of contracting COVID-19. More than 540,000 cloth face coverings and 460,000 bottles of hand sanitizer have been distributed statewide through the effort.
“There isn’t a greater responsibility for a local government than the health and safety of its residents, and Henrico is grateful for these additional resources in the fight against COVID-19,” said Monica Smith-Callahan, deputy county manager for community affairs. “Henrico is excited to participate in the Health Equity Pilot Program and to join with VDEM to help ensure that all residents receive the support and resources they need during this pandemic.”
