Providence in the Park This Saturday: Clothing, Healthy Lunches and Care Kits for Downtown Eastside Residents

Vancouver, July 23, 2010 — On Saturday, April 24, Providence Health Care (PHC) will be providing healthy lunches and spring clothing to hundreds of residents of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Staff, physicians and volunteers from across PHC will gather at Oppenheimer Park, on the corner of Cordova Street and Dunlevy Avenue, to distribute the provisions.
In addition to lunches and clothing, those in need will have the opportunity to receive a personal care kit that will include items such as soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo and shaving razors.

What:                  Providence in the Park
When:                 Saturday, April 24, 2010, 11:00 a.m.
Where:              Oppenheimer Park (Corner of Cordova Street &  Dunlevy Avenue)


Providence Health Care is one of Canada's largest faith-based health care organizations, operating 14 health care facilities in Greater Vancouver. Guided by the principle “How you want to be treated,” PHC's 1,200 physicians, 6,000 staff and 1,500 volunteers deliver compassionate care to patients and residents in British Columbia. Providence’s programs and services span the complete continuum of care and serve people throughout B.C. The organization’s $655-million budget covers 646 acute care beds, 700 continuing care beds, 76 rehabilitation beds, and 12 hospice beds. PHC operates one of two adult academic health science centres in the province, performs cutting-edge research in more than 30 clinical specialties, and focuses its services on six “populations of emphasis”: cardio-pulmonary risks and illnesses, HIV/AIDS, mental health, renal risks and illness, specialized needs in aging and urban health. For more information on Providence Health Care, please visit our website at http://www.providencehealthcare.org.

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For more information contact:
Contact: Justin Karasick
Senior Public Affairs Officer - Providence
Lower Mainland Communications and Public Affairs
Tel 604.806.8460
Cel 604.992.2503
jkarasick@providencehealth.bc.ca.