A Capital Health Regional Medical Center outreach made an excellent use of time recently. While residents queued for food being distributed by Arm In Arm just outside the closed St. Francis Medical Center entrance on Chambers St., Capital Health’s Institute for Urban Care offered free flu vaccines. “We coordinated Internal Medicine residents with Pharmacy residents to provide flu vaccines at no cost to the community. And, we gave our winter items like hats, socks, gloves, and scarves,” explained Kim Watson, nurse manager for the Institute of Urban Care. Watson said details of a Capital Health drive to collect more winter clothing will be announced soon. Vaccine access proved effortless. Persons waiting in line for an Arm In Arm food offering were able to receive free flu vaccines provided by Capital Health Regional Medical Center’s Institute of Urban Care. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)André Gause, left, of Arm In Arm praised his dedicated team. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)Clients of Arm In Arm received bags filled with vegetables, fruits and other nutritious items. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)Show Caption1 of 3Persons waiting in line for an Arm In Arm food offering were able to receive free flu vaccines provided by Capital Health Regional Medical Center’s Institute of Urban Care. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)Expand “They only have to sign a consent form and then we address any issues or questions they may have about the vaccine. They receive an information sheet in Spanish or English. No identification is necessary.” Many attendees received flu vaccines then moved toward an Arm In Arm distribution of turkeys and bags of various other food items. André Gause, hunger prevention coordinator and resource coordinator for Arm In Arm, directed a streamlined operation to fight food insecurity. “We have a coordinated bi-weekly partnership with Capital Health,” explained Gause who in April will celebrate 10 years with the Arm In Arm organization. On this day, Gause said he and volunteers expected to hand out 150 turkeys and food bags. Three hundred turkeys were distributed in other locations a day prior. The mobile unit visits a women’s clinic Bellevue Ave. site twice a month. “I’m not surprised about the numbers of people in need. I’m happy that organizations like Arm In Arm can fill that need for many,” Gause said. He acknowledged a volunteer corp that stays engaged and dedicated to mission. Thanks and a Happy Thanksgiving to Watson and Capital Health members as well as Gause of Arm In Arm and his volunteers for providing important services, food, and love to many people in need. L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at [email protected].