Bright lights, decorations, wrapped gifts and children filled with the excitement of the arrival of Santa Clause can be seen everywhere. Yet for many who are between jobs or homeless this Christmas season, the holiday may bring empty holiday stockings and an empty pantry.

The Free Clinic student leadership team is working to bring hope to those people in need by filling the pantry at Lubbock Impact. The pantry is an emergency pantry that provides additional supplies to the homeless or uninsured who are in need of basic necessities while waiting on assistance.

Kyra Schmidt, a second-year medical student and leader of The Free Clinic leadership team, said the pantry also is a great resource to the patients the clinic sees.

“We provide the basic health care needs for the uninsured, working poor and homeless population of Lubbock,” Schmidt said. “Many times we may diagnose that the patient is in need of additional protein due to their health issue. Yet this person may not have the funds to purchase groceries or any other items for that matter. That’s where the pantry at Lubbock Impact comes in and may have the needed items to provide that nourishment to the patient. The pantry can really help people in times of need.”

Lubbock Impact is a non-profit community outreach ministry that supports the residents of Lubbock who are in a difficult economic situation. The Free Clinic is an urgent care clinic run by Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine physicians and medical students operate every Wednesday from 6 to 10 p.m.

Items needed for pantry include:
Toiletries:
Toilet paper
Shampoo
Conditioner
Body wash
Deodorant (men and women)

Canned foods:
Ravioli
Vienna Sausages
Tuna
Beef stew
Chicken noodle soup
Canned fruits

Non-perishable foods:
Peanut butter
Saltine crackers

Schmidt and The Free Clinic leadership team hope others will open their hearts and give to help those who are less fortunate.

“A simple gesture can make their holiday brighter,” Schmidt said. “The patients and those who visit Lubbock Impact always are so appreciative of the help.”

Items can be dropped off at the information desk at the first floor TTUHSC entrance or the information desk at the Texas Tech Medical Pavilion first floor from December 8 to 23.