The tireless workers and volunteers at LAMP Community Health Centre are proud to be serving the community during these challenging times.

The long-established organization is giving away free food boxes and gift certificates for food to needy residents in the community.

Many people in the area are struggling and don’t have enough food at home, LAMP officials say. Some of these families rely on the healthy food, snacks and supper offered by LAMP programs, schools and other centres.

With all the programs closed that support is no longer available, so LAMP is boosting its efforts with the aid of a generous grant from Community Food Centres Canada and partners as Etobicoke Services for Seniors, the Rotary Club of Etobicoke, FoodShare and others.

LAMP is giving away Good Food Boxes and small gift certificates for food on a weekly basis to people needing help due to COVID-19. They are also giving out free lunch meal takeaway bags to residents five days a week.

The LAMP office at 185 Fifth Street has cancelled all routine, non-essential visits due to the virus and changed clinic hours from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday until further notice.

Some medications will require a visit and it will be up to a provider whether or not you will need an appointment for renewal. If you need a renewal you can also call your pharmacy and have them fax a request to the LAMP office.

Please note that LAMP does not conduct tests for the coronavirus. There is a COVID-19 Assessment Centre in the Sunnyside Building, of St. Joe’s Health Care Centre, at 30 The Queensway.

If you do have to visit LAMP, you are asked to wait outside until your appointment and not in the waiting room to help with social distancing.

Donations can be made to LAMP’s COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund at https://lampchc.org/get-involved/donate/ or phone 416-252-6471.