The Reading Hospital Foundation has received a donation of 24 backpacks filled with personal care items from an anonymous donor. The backpacks will soon be distributed to homeless patients through the Tower Health Medical Group Street Hospital program.
The backpack includes a fleece blanket, a rain poncho, socks, a winter hat, gloves, scarf, comb, Chapstick, body lotion, hand sanitizing wipes, hand sanitizer, face masks, bathing wipes, soap, shampoo, washcloth, nail clippers, nail file, tissues, deodorant, flashlight and batteries, notebook and pen, carabiner, emergency blanket, reusable water bottle, spare bags, toothbrush, toothbrush case, toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash, first aid kit, and antibiotic ointment.
“The generosity of our community members continues to amaze me,” said Katherine Thornton, President, Reading Hospital Foundation. “We are so privileged to partner with the Street Medicine Program to distribute this donation.”
The donor was inspired by an episode of “Returning the Favor,” where an individual donated backpacks to the homeless in his community. After watching the show he shared with his wife his desire to do something similar in Berks County but didn’t know how to execute it. His wife, familiar with the Street Medicine Program, encouraged him to connect with Reading Hospital Foundation to see if he could partner with them for distribution.
Eugene York, MD, Tower Health Medical Group Hospitalist and Street Medicine Physician added, “This donation will have a significant impact on our patients. Providing these important items, that so many of us take for granted, will allow 24 individuals to stay warm and healthy this winter.”
Tower Health Medical Group’s Street Medicine Program provides care to some of Berk’s County’s most vulnerable residents – those experiencing homelessness. The program operates solely on grants, philanthropic dollars, and volunteered services by Tower Health employees. Individuals interested in supporting the program can visit towerhealth.org/reading-hospital-foundation to learn more.
About Reading Hospital
Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 714-bed hospital that is home to many top-tier specialty care centers, including Reading HealthPlex, Tower Health Transplant Institute, McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency Department, Level I Trauma Center and Beginnings Maternity Center, which houses the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 1,000 physicians and providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across services lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for four consecutive years and received a 5-Star Rating from CMS two years in a row. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.