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Programs and Services
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| Grocery Assistance Programs |
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Monthly Shopping Program
The Food+Health monthly shopping program provides long-term support for low-income people living with HIV disease. Set up like a small grocery store, clients are allowed to shop and select food items of their choice. During these shopping trips, we provide clients with blood pressure screenings, weight checks and referrals as needed to our registered dietitian. These preliminary health screenings help the client and the care providers to become more aware of certain possible complications like high blood pressure and HIV-associated wasting.
Emergency Shopping Program
The Food+Health emergency shopping program allows any client not currently enrolled in the monthly shopping program to access the food pantry through his or her care coordinator up to four times per year. This service is especially helpful during times of hardship, whether it is financial or medical.
Tulsa CARES’ Farmer’s Market
A supplementary service of the food pantry is the Tulsa CARES’ Farmer’s Market. This service is offered once per month, year-round as funds are available. Any Tulsa CARES’ client is eligible to participate in this service. On a specified day each month, clients can visit Tulsa CARES to receive an assortment of fresh fruits, vegetables and other perishables to supplement their groceries at home. Produce is purchased through a local fruit and vegetable vendor. During the Brookside and Cherry Street Farmer’s Market seasons (April-October), produce is also generously donated by various vendors. Clients can talk to their care coordinator or Food+Health staff for a list of upcoming Farmer’s Market times and dates.
Meals and Events
Second Cup Café Congregate Meal
Every Tuesday at noon our Food+Health staff prepares a meal for Tulsa CARES’ clients. Clients are welcome to bring friends and family to enjoy entrees such as enchiladas, meatloaf, homemade stews, barbeque chicken and more. All meals include fresh vegetables, a fruit and dessert. This is a time of social gathering where clients can keep up with friends, find others in the community for support and hear about upcoming events and activities as well as a time to feed the hungry.
Annual Cookout
Each year we offer an annual cookout for clients in May which includes hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, salad and assorted sides. Clients are welcome to bring a guest or two, but must RSVP with their care coordinator.
Holiday Party
The holiday party is held each year in December. A delicious, healthy feast with friends, family and a very special guest (Santa!) makes this a fun, memorable event.
Dietetic Services (Medical Nutrition Therapy)
If I decide to meet with the dietitian, what should I expect?
Our dietitian will discuss your eating habits and health history. Some of the questions may be personal, such as questions about your appetite, digestion and health history, but all questions are meant to help better design a healthy eating plan for you. The first appointment with our dietitian takes about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how many questions or problems you are having.
The dietitian can provide you with a bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), which will show how much of your body is made up of muscle, fat and water. This can help you better understand if your body composition is healthy or if your health may be improved through weight loss or weight gain.
Any client of Tulsa CARES can meet with the dietitian for free. BIA tests are also free and a copy can be faxed to your healthcare provider upon your request.
I know good nutrition choices are important, but right now I am having problems with just having enough food to eat. Can Tulsa CARES help?
Tulsa CARES’ clients can access our food pantry on an emergency basis four times in a 12 month period. Clients who need emergency groceries must contact their care coordinator to access the food pantry. Tulsa CARES also offers a monthly shopping program for clients who qualify, but this program usually has a waiting list. Contact your care coordinator for more information about the monthly shopping program if you are interested. Tulsa CARES also offers a Farmer’s Market in the Gathering Place that is free to all clients during the summer months. Contact the food pantry at 918-834-4782 or your care coordinator for more information.
Farmer’s Market
The Tulsa CARES’ Famer’s Market is FREE to all clients and is offered year round once a month, and once per week during the summer months. Clients may pick out their own fruits and vegetables for their families to enjoy.
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