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Wellness center kiosk, holiday programs and food distribution highlighted during public comment
Summary
Residents and nonprofit leaders praised the Keystone Wellness Center kiosk that dispenses free health items and described local holiday food distributions; councilors and community members arranged last-minute meals and turkeys for senior residents who said they had not been notified of a distribution change.
Public commenters used the Nov. 27 council meeting to highlight health programming at the Keystone Wellness Center, raise concerns about missed turkey distributions for seniors and outline community holiday events.
Keystone Wellness Center kiosk and services
Meg Grant, a community health organizer, told council the center at 1929 West 9th Street hosts a kiosk that dispenses free health items including naloxone (Narcan), condoms, feminine hygiene products, COVID test kits and emergency blankets. She said the kiosk had been in place about two months and that about 360 products had been taken. Grant asked council and community members to help publicize the service, noting that signage and flyers did not always emphasize that the kiosk is free.
Mayor Stefan Roots and council members praised the kiosk. Council member comments included suggestions for demonstrations and outreach to reduce community hesitation in using the device. Grant said free chargers, coats and a schedule of programming are also available at the wellness center.
Senior turkey distribution and community response
A tenant leader at a senior building, who identified herself as the president of a tenant council at a building on Edgemont (Madison and Gateway area), said she learned the building was not on the city's turkey-distribution list this year and that about 250 seniors were left without notification. She asked for help procuring turkeys for residents.
Several community members and civic groups responded during public comment. Community activist Darren Laws and other organizations presented a plaque honoring Rosetta Carter for community health work, and multiple council members and residents offered to deliver meals and turkeys. One council member committed to delivering 100 meals the next day to the building.
Other community updates
Speakers also described a new community space and gym at 3105 West 9th Street (Team Strive) and invited council members to attend a Dec. 17 grand opening. Councilors reiterated a schedule of community events including flu shots, Santa parades and premium parking meetings for residents to discuss parking zones.
Ending
Council and community members used the public comment period to link service providers, volunteers and city offices to address immediate needs, including the senior meal/turkey gap and promotion of the wellness center kiosk.
