Band-aids cover more than just wounds

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The Riggs Community Health Center is targeting a growing population: the homeless. News Channel 18 takes you inside one local shelter as the residents opened up few gifts as part of National Health Center Week.

Mental Health America of Tippecanoe Day Shelter is home to Jim DeYoung, who could no longer handle his health and his job.

"Having difficulty dealing with the stress of a full time job. I also, unfortunately, have a gambling problem," said DeYoung, who has since turned his life around.

DeYoung is not alone.  That's why more than 200 bags filled with things like band-aids and Neosporin made it to about nine local homeless shelters thanks to Riggs Community Health Center. Medical Director Charles Cavallo said everyone has these needs and people without a place to live should not be left out.

"They can't get them. They can't afford them. Vitamins, especially with an unpredictable diet, are quite important for our daily health. Neosporin, things like that, would be used if there was a skin infection or some type of topical, superficial infection," said Dr. Cavallo.

Lead Case Manager Joni Biesecker said, due to the rescession, the shelter has seen 100 new faces in the last six weeks, so the need is greater.

"They've used all of their unemployment, they don't have their homes anymore, so they're here," Biesecker said.

If you've walked two to six miles everyday, you've walked in Doug Fletcher's shoes. While looking for a writer job, he depends on the day shelter for luch. Now, he said he has just the item to complement his meals.

"Vitamins in a plastic container to keep things dry," said Fletcher.

And all that walking may require his own first aid kit.

"If you get a cut on your foot and you don't have Neosporin or band-aids right away, and you're walking most of the day, it just gets worse and worse and worse, sore. You end up getting infected. You end up going to the clinic. But with Neosporin it heals in 24 hours and a band-aid and it's all good," said Fletcher.

Biesecker said The MHA Day Shelter is open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.