Free Food, Winter Coat, Flu Shot Event Coming To Woodbridge

WOODBRIDGE, VA — Catholic Charities' Mother of Mercy Free Medical Clinic is hosting a drive-thru event in Woodbridge on Sunday, Nov. 15 to help prepare the local community for the winter.

The clinic will provide food and winter coats to those in need and has 400 free flu vaccines available for people who are uninsured. Participation in the event will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

The effort is being held in conjunction with World Day of the Poor, a day on which Catholics focus on their responsibility to serve their neighbors, particularly the most vulnerable.

“As we head into the winter months and holidays, the stresses experienced by those already in need grow," Alexandra Luevano, clinic director of the Mother of Mercy clinic, said Tuesday in a statement. "This year, families have been hit particularly hard by the health and economic impacts of the coronavirus."

Catholic Charities is planning to open a new clinic in Woodbridge on Nov. 23. "We are thankful to offer these basic needs to the community just as we are getting ready to open this new clinic," Luevano said.

The event will take place in the Mother of Mercy parking lot at 13900 Church Hill Drive in Woodbridge. Medical volunteers will assist with the flu vaccines. Safe distancing, masks and other coronavirus mitigation measures will be in effect.

On Sunday, the food and coat distribution will take place at the site from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. The flu vaccines will be administered from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Pre-registration is required to participate in the event. To register for the food distribution, visit this website: https://tinyurl.com/wdopfood. To register for the coat distribution, visit this website: https://tinyurl.com/wdopcoat.

The flu shots will be available only to uninsured residents. To register to get a flu shot, visit this website: https://tinyurl.com/wdopflushots.

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 2020, more than 54 million Americans will 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.