IRVINE, Calif. (Aug. 22, 2018) – Radiant Health Centers recently expanded its Health and Wellness Food Pantry to serve members of the LGBTQ+ community who are experiencing food insecurity, regardless of HIV status. To qualify, members of the LGBTQ+ community must have limited income and a severe or disabling medical diagnosis.
Expanding the food pantry is a part of Radiant Health Centers’ promise to meet the needs of Orange County’s LGBTQ+ community and get to zero new HIV transmissions. The pantry served more than 400 HIV positive clients last year, and with the expansion Radiant Health Centers will serve almost 100 more people in need in Orange County.
The food pantry provides a dependable source of nutritious food in sufficient quantities for not only clients, but also their pets. Radiant Health Centers received a generous grant from the Banfield Foundation, making the pet food pantry possible.
“Most people really love their pets, and rather than letting them starve, our clients often give them their own food,” said Phil Yaeger, CEO & executive director, Radiant Health Centers. “To make sure our clients are well nourished and able to stay healthy, we started giving away pet food for dogs and cats as well. ”
Eligible clients will be able to pick up their food on Mondays. In addition, Radiant Health Centers also delivers food to clients to remove barriers to access for clients who do not have access to transportation or who are unable to pick up their food at Radiant Health Centers.
“We are so grateful to our donors and volunteers who make the food pantry possible,” said Yaeger. “It is truly making a difference in our community, helping some of our most vulnerable members get enough food on their plates.”
Radiant Health Centers food pantry is open on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. by appointment. Clients must sign up in advance and provide proof of requirements. To set up an appointment and find out more, clients can contact Health and Wellness Pantry Coordinator Brent Wellman at (949) 809-8773. Food is needed all year round to keep the pantry operating. Items can be brought to Radiant Health Centers, 17982 Sky Park Circle, Ste J, Irvine, CA 92614-6482.
About Radiant Health Centers
Radiant Health Centers has provided more than three decades of exceptional care and support to people affected by HIV and their loved ones. It has been instrumental in driving new HIV transmissions down over the past 15 years; however, six people a week in Orange County are still diagnosed with HIV.
Radiant Health Centers encompasses traditional HIV testing and prevention outreach as well as long-standing services to Orange County’s HIV positive community while also creating a safe space to help more members of our LGBTQ+ community in need of compassionate care. Learn more at www.radianthealthcenters.org.
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