May 10, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Silvana Quiroz

(301) 699-3500 x6158

Silvana.Quiroz@pgcmls.info

Free Groceries at County Libraries

Part of New “Community Health Worker in the Library” Program

Largo, Md. – Advancing health and food equity in Prince George’s County is an important focus for the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS), which launches a new program called “Community Health Worker in the Library” on May 10, 2022. This joint effort with the Prince George’s County Health Department provides residents in communities throughout the county with an opportunity to take a preventative health assessment and receive free groceries. Public health workers will be available during distribution events to answer questions about community health resources and services and provide free KN95 masks and COVID-19 rapid test kits while supplies last; on-site clinical services will not be available.

Grocery distributions will take place indoors, 1-2 days per week, at select PGCMLS branch libraries in May and June. Up to 100 grocery bags will be available each week at each location. They will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Face masks are required for all visitors in PGCMLS buildings (ages 2 and up).

Distribution Schedule

Visit pgcmls.info/events for listings. Subject to change.

*Largo-Kettering will only host distributions in May.

“Health equity is one of the most important priorities in public health today and is a top priority for the Health Department,” said Dr. Ernest Carter, Prince George’s County Health Officer. “This great partnership with our County library system is just another way that we are shifting the narrative, focusing on systems and social structures, and amplifying the significance of community health workers in improving health outcomes for Prince Georgians.”

“The Library has a long history of mobilizing to support health and food security initiatives, including COVID-19 vaccine clinics and test kit distribution, summer meals for K-12 students, promoting health care enrollment, and hosting essential resource distributions,” said PGCMLS CEO Roberta Phillips. “Our team is grateful for the opportunity to continue this work with the Prince George’s County Health Department, in keeping with the Library’s ‘healthy living’ strategic focus area.”

According to the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security, Prince George’s County residents face “a long history of disparities in chronic diseases, HIV, infant mortality, and unequal access to healthcare.” The County Health Department tracks key indicators of these systemic health challenges at PGC Health Zone and the Library provides a range of educational resources and programs for healthy living at pgcmls.info/healthy-living-suite.

Graphics Package

To cover the distribution events please contact Silvana Quiroz (301) 538-5328

About Prince George’s County Memorial Library System

The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) helps customers discover and define opportunities that shape their lives. The Library serves the 967,000+ residents of Prince George’s County, Maryland through 19 branch libraries, a 24/7 online library, and pop-up services throughout the community. PGCMLS is a responsive and trusted community-driven organization. Programs, services, and outreach activities serve booklovers, immigrants and refugees, job seekers, children, young professionals, seniors, and families alike. PGCMLS is the recipient of the 2021 Urban Libraries Council Top Innovator Award for Workforce and Economic
Development. Learn more at pgcmls.info/about-us.