As we dive into spring, we look back and reflect on all of the Healthy Lifestyles Coalition’s vital work in the neighborhoods surrounding the Lee Barta Community Center in the past months.
Since January, the team has operated the pantry with a unique ordering and contactless pickup system. This approach has kept residents warm and socially distant as they navigated the remainder of the winter and the effects of the pandemic. Over the past three months, 618 adults, 257 youth, and 43 seniors within 161 households were served through donations of individuals, the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW), and Northside Mutual Aid. Pantry efforts would not have been made possible if it weren’t for the efforts of volunteers, who generated over 170 volunteer hours!
Despite strict limitations due to COVID-19, the HLC team persevered in order to continue serving and connecting with Binghamton’s North and Eastside residents. The “HLC Stays Connected” initiative allowed for an innovative way to connect with residents through the Eat Well Play Hard Binghamton Facebook page. Programing included live videos featuring healthy activities with HLC’s very own Korin Kirk and Ann Supa from Cornell Cooperative Extension- Broome County. Through the partnership with CCE-BC, 250 youth grab and go bags were distributed to the community, with related Facebook videos demonstrating the activities following shortly after. Since November, 36 videos have been broadcasted, reaching over 1,800 people!
As winter persisted, the community saw a greater need for activities for the youth. In response, a partnership with the City of Binghamton and United Way of Broome County resulted in 46 pairs of ice skates and helmets distributed to residents through the center, thanks to donations and funds provided by the City of Binghamton.
As we look into the coming months of brighter weather and longer days, the Healthy Lifestyles Coalition continues community partnerships and looks forward to expanding programming to support the needs of the community. Check out the Eat Well Play Hard Binghamton Facebook page to stay up to date on all of the events and activities taking place with the Healthy Lifestyles Coalition!
