Wellington Hospitals Stock Goods for Workers to Grab and Go.
Wellington Vice Mayor Michael Napoleone has fashioned a rapid response team to alleviate the burden of grocery store shopping for those on the vanguard of healthcare at Wellington Regional Medical Center.
“I called Pam [Tahan, Wellington Regional Medical Center CEO] and asked what I and members of the community could do for the hospital and we decided on the Grab 'n' Go Pantry,” he said.
The pantry is a repository for donated goods, including non-perishable foods, household cleaning products and, of course, toilet paper. Individuals and businesses are invited to shop and then donate those items at the main entrance of the hospital, where there is a tiered rack for collection.“When many of our team members at the hospital finish work, there aren’t paper towels or toilet paper at the supermarket,” Tahan said.
The donated goods are moved to the hospital’s community room in which employees select their essential items. The notion of the Grab 'n' Go Pantry requires practiced and proficient execution at a volunteer price. At Napoleone’s request, The Great Charity Challenge, an equestrian competition that pairs riders with local charities, and its Executive Director Anne Caroline Valtin answered the call.
“He [Napoleone] sent me an email that said, ‘I talked to Pam from the hospital and I genuinely think there is a need here. This is something we can do, but I need your help from an execution standpoint.’ I jumped on the phone, took the lead on creating a flyer, creating a Facebook group and it went from there,” said Valtin, noting that the impetus for the pantry was Napoleone. “It is truly, truly his idea.”
Valtin continues to be impressed with the outpouring of goodwill and philanthropy by Wellington’s residents and those who live in the village part-time. For seasonal residents, as well as anyone whose preference is to avoid shopping, there is an option to make a charitable contribution. The Great Charity Challenge partners with the Wellington-based Step By Step Foundation to accept donations earmarked for the Grab 'n' Go Pantry.
The pantry has been well received by the hospital staff and its stockpile dwindles rapidly. One beneficiary of the pantry is Victoria Gedeon, a dietetic technician.
“I couldn’t find what I needed at the supermarket…toilet paper and canned food…we went down to the pantry as a department [Food and Nutrition Services] keeping our social distance, going in a few at a time. My colleagues were pleasantly surprised. I’m going to use it again if it has what I need,” she said.
Napoleone’s first run of donated items to the pantry included pasta, sauce and toilet paper. He envisions the pantry concept and its success being replicated at other facilities.
“They have been listening,” Tahan said, adding the village is in a stronger position to confront COVID-19 because its public officials reached out to the hospital early in the pandemic’s timeline. Communication has been strong as well. “They answer our calls every time.”