Bartell Drugs Partners with Seattle's Union Gospel Mission to Distribute "Flu Kits" and Free Flu Shot Vouchers

PRESS RELEASE

SEATTLE—Bartell Drugs and Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission (UGM) have teamed to help protect the homeless and insecurely housed residents of the downtown core by distributing “flu kits” and vouchers for free flu immunizations.

Members of Bartell staff will join UGM’s Search and Rescue street team from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 12 to distribute these materials in Seattle downtown core, including the area known as “The Jungle” as well as the Chinatown-International district.

Many of us take for granted the small items we need when we have the cold or flu such as tissues, cough drops and pain relievers. But for community members that daily struggle with housing and other basic needs, these items can be nearly impossible to obtain. And affording flu shots can be even more challenging.

Along with each flu kit, Bartells is providing a voucher for a free flu vaccination at any one of our 65 locations in the Puget Sound area. By protecting all the residents of our region—especially those who may lack resources or opportunities—we are helping to protect everyone.

“As the oldest family-owned pharmacy in the United States, Bartell Drugs has been part of the Puget Sound community since 1890,” says President and CEO Brian Unmacht. “This means we have a deep connection to our neighborhoods as well as a responsibility to be a caring and convenient source of community health and wellness—especially individuals and families who may be struggling to meet basic needs.”

“We are excited by Bartells commitment to helping our community’s most vulnerable residents,” says Ralph Rowland, UGM’s vice president for community engagement. “By working with our night patrol street teams, we will be able to get needed items directly into the hands of those who need them, as well as the opportunity to further protect their health with the free flu vaccine vouchers.”

Both organizations hope to distribute more than 1,500 of the flu kits during this effort.