A Benefit for EOC Food Programs, Honors Saratoga Hospital’s Community Health Center
SARATOGA SPRINGS – On Wednesday, May 2, Saratoga County residents, business and community leaders once again came together at the Canfield Casino for a rite of spring, the Annual May Day Spring Fling to benefit Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council, Inc.
The annual benefit, now in its 29th year, is sponsored by Longfellows Hotel, Restaurant and Conference Center and the Olde Bryan Inn and raises critical funds to support the EOC Emergency Food Programs. Each year EOC’s Emergency Food Programs, which include a Soup Kitchen, Food Pantry, Mobile Food Pantry, Rural Food Delivery, and Summer Lunch Program, serve and provide food for more than 100,000 meals to low-income individuals and families in Saratoga County.
“We are proud of how this event brings together so many people each year in support of our food programs and our mission to help our neighbors in need”, says EOC Executive Director Jo Anne Hume. “We are fortunate that our economy is improving and unemployment is falling, but the cost of living in Saratoga County continues to rise, making it harder and harder to make ends meet.
In fact, many families visiting our Food Pantry have jobs, but just need some extra assistance to get by. Many others are elderly or disabled.” 90 percent of families visiting the EOC Food Pantry have a household income below 100 percent of poverty. That’s equivalent to $25,100 a year for a family of four.
Saratoga County EOC also honored Saratoga Hospital’s Community Health Center for its commitment to improving the quality of life for low-income individuals and families in Saratoga County. “The Community Health Center’s leadership in meeting and advocating for the needs of our community has been outstanding. Saratoga Hospital and the Community Health Center have changed the landscape of services available to low-income families in Saratoga County”, said Hume.
Saratoga Hospital’s Community Health Center, at 24 Hamilton Street, opened in September 2013 to fill significant gaps in access to primary care, dental care, and behavioral health care services for the uninsured and underinsured in the greater Saratoga Springs region. This vital community resource has, in just over three years, profoundly impacted the lives of over 6,600 patients and their families, providing access to high quality, compassionate, affordable primary, dental, and behavioral health care. The Community Health Center anticipates a patient volume of 25,650 visits in 2018, a 17 percent increase over 2017.
This year guests at the May Day Spring Fling enjoyed “Springtime in Paris” with a Parisian themed Street Market, Flower Garden and Bistro. Guests could also win a trip to Paris. Live music was provided by the Jeanine Ouderkirk Trio.
THE GALLERY: EOC SPRING FLING – PHOTOS BY CATHY DUFFY
