Donation Drive: How You Can Support Jefferson County Residents

LAKEWOOD, CO — Colorado dietitians are hosting a donation drive that will benefit the Action Center in Jefferson County.

Dietitians at the SCL Health Lutheran Medical Center organized the drive in honor of the 48th National Nutrition Month.

The drive, which runs until March 31, is being held at Lutheran Medical Center, 8300 W 38th Ave, in Wheat Ridge. You can bring donations to the center's Entrance #3 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., and deposit them in the black milk crates.

The Action Center is need of: cereal, oatmeal, hearty soups, pasta, pasta sauce, canned or dry goods, shampoo, conditioner, body soap, deodorant and diapers.

“While trying to cope with their illnesses, the pandemic has also left many of my patients with a shortage of resources to allow them to provide safe housing, food and clothing for themselves and their families,” said Patti Schapiro, a registered dietitian and nurse.

“The Action Center has been the ideal partner linking our patients to the critical help they need outside of their medical treatment. In my view, access to The Action Center and other community partners has made our job of treating nutritional deficiencies more effective.”

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Without the stability that comes when primary needs are met, patients have less of a chance of making an adequate recovery, the Action Center said.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2021, about 42 million Americans may not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.