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August 13, 2013

Vision Van Visits Oak Park



It was a great joy to participate as a translator in this year’s VSP Vision Care mobile eye exam clinic with Delta Lions Club on June 25, where qualifying participants were able to get a free eye exam and receive a free pair of glasses. This event was a tremendous opportunity for clients in many of our programs here at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. The Vision Van was parked alongside SFBFS’ Arata Brothers building on our main campus in Oak Park, so shoppers from our Clothing program were able to drop by the event after picking out new outfits. In addition, the students currently enrolled in our Adult Education program and gardening classes were able cross the street for services so they     could get the glasses they needed to thrive in their studies.

VSP Vision Services and the Lions Club not only provided a much needed service for our clients, but also created a warm and welcoming environment, which was no easy feat given the misty, damp and drizzly weather that day! Lions Club volunteers chatted with each other and with clients, enjoying warm coffee and creating an upbeat atmosphere. Local residents enjoyed the opportunity to socialize while they waited for their appointments. The team of two optometrists saw 33 patients that day, and 123 additional clients were given gift certificates to receive the same services with vision care providers in the area.

VSP employees educated their patients and volunteers on health issues that can be detected during a vision screening, and discussed with them the basics of vision care. One VSP employee mentioned during the event that patients generally don’t even realize how badly they needed glasses until they put them on and notice the difference. We found this to be quite true when the recipients came in to the lobby to pick up their glasses a few weeks later. Please check out the happy faces in these photos, as clients show off their new look!


Submitted by Brenda Wherry, Receptionist at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services

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