Get Healthy: Will give flu shots for food

This column appears in the Nevada Appeal Wednesday health pages. It addresses topics related to health of our community.

This year, Carson City Health and Human Services is a participant in the "It's Chili Outside - Let's Make Nevada Hunger-free" food drive. Spearheaded by the Nevada State Health Division, the campaign is seeking food donations to be distributed to needy families. The food drive is being held in conjunction with national Food Day (http://foodday.org).

Because Carson City Health and Human Services understands that the need in our community is great, health officials have decided to tie two programs together. Through Oct. 28, anyone who donates two cans of food also will receive a voucher for a free flu shot or nasal spray vaccine, redeemable during regularly scheduled immunization hours on Thursdays. Each family may earn up to four flu shot vouchers. With this program, you can feel good about helping those in need and also protect yourself and your family from the flu this winter.

To help out, bring unopened cans of food to the Health Department, 900 East Long St., between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Your donation will stay in our community to help those who need it most. The "It's Chili Outside" campaign is encouraging people to bring specifically high-protein foods like chili and canned meats and fish, but any food donations will be accepted. We will accept food donations Monday through Friday, but flu vouchers can only be used in our clinic on Thursdays.

Events are scheduled to mark the 2011 Food Day on Oct. 24. Community Roots Market in Dayton will host a produce tasting event to honor the occasion, with organic produce supplied by the school and community gardens in Lyon County. Other local businesses and service organizations also will host food drives.

The purpose of Food Day is to bring together Americans from all walks of life to advocate for healthy, affordable food produced in a sustainable, humane way.

For more information about other Health Department services, check out our website at www.gethealthycarsoncity.org or visit us at www.facebook.com/cchhs.

Clinics

Carson City Health and Human Services

900 East Long St., Carson City

775-887-2195

Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Wednesday and Friday; call for appointment.

Well Child visits: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays.

Men's Clinic: 4-6 p.m. Mondays; call for appointment.

Immunization Day: 8:30-11:30 a.m.; 1-4:30 p.m. Thursdays; no appointment needed.