Nutrition, health and housing security will once more be the focus of a special Burlington County resource fair returning to the Burlington County Library next week.
The 5th Annual Bring Health Home Resource Fair will be held Friday, April 17, from 1 PM to 4 PM at the Burlington County Library System’s Main Branch Library at 5 Pioneer Boulevard, Westampton.
The event is organized and sponsored by the Burlington County Commissioners in partnership with the Burlington County Department of Human Services, Burlington County Health Department and Burlington County Minority and Equality Rights Task Force. It features free health screening, presentations, fitness classes and information tables from more than 40 participating agencies and service providers.
This year’s fair will also bring additional resources to assist families experiencing food insecurity. Free, nonperishable groceries will be distributed by the Burlington County Department of Human Services new Food Hub for local families in need, and the Aetna Mobile Food Pantry will also be present with additional food supplies.
“Good health starts at home so Burlington County continues to prioritize programs and resources that help all residents live healthy lives, including assistance related to sufficient, stable housing and food security,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Dr. Felicia Hopson. “The Bring Health Home Resource Fair brings together a variety of health and housing resources in one location so residents can easily access information and receive in-person case management for a number of useful programs.”
“Good health and secure housing aren’t luxuries reserved for the privileged. They are necessities and the foundation that strong, vital communities are built on,” added State Senator Troy Singleton. “The Bring Health Home Resource Fair ensures residents can easily access important services and resources that can benefit them and their families.”
The Food Hub at the Department of Human Services Building began operating earlier this year as an offshoot of the Burlington County Housing Hub. It provides limited supplies of groceries and dairy foods to food insecure households who are seeking help through other social services and programs, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).
“It’s unacceptable for residents living among us to go hungry or be forced to choose between adequate, nutritious meals and other basic needs like health care and housing,” said Burlington County Commissioner Randy Brolo, the liaison to the Department of Human Services and the Health Department. “The families coming to the Human Services Building for help are among our county’s most vulnerable, so it makes sense to make groceries available for them to take home while they wait for social services to begin.”
In addition to the Human Services Food Hub, the Burlington County Health Department’s new Mobile Health Vehicle will be present to offer screenings and health information. The Health Department will offer a class on understanding nutrition labels on food. There will also be presentations from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency on its homebuying assistance programs and the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office Division of Civil Rights on housing discrimination protections.
Some of the other participants include the Fox Chase Cancer Center, which will be signing up residents for free early cancer detection screenings, and Virtua’s Pediatric Mobile Unit, which offers a wide range of services, including dental and developmental screenings, blood lead level testing, plus visions and hearing screenings. Burlington County Hope One and Hope One for Youth vehicles will also be on site, and free Zumba fitness classes will be offered throughout the afternoon.
There will be food and entertainment during this family-friendly event focused on health, housing and making sure residents know about available resources.
“Seeking information about health and housing can sometimes be intimidating,” said Commissioner Brolo. “That’s why Burlington County created this resource fair to make it easy for residents to get screened and learn about proper nutrition, exercise and other healthy lifestyle choices, along with programs that can help them remain in secure, affordable housing.”