KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – It’s called Impact Clay Train for a reason. It’s a collection of impactful services, much like a row of train cars, that rumbles into county areas needing the most help.

And to kick off the new year like never before, Impact Clay will roll into Keystone Junior/Senior High on Jan. 18 with its train … and a tractor-trailer filled with food from Feeding Northeast Florida and the United Way of Northeast Florida, all in part of a massive food bank program in the county to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“Ultimately, we are having food distributed in Keystone Heights, Green Cove Springs, the Town of Orange Park,” said Impact Clay CEO Connie Thomas, “but the big event will be in Keystone.”

The Keystone Height event follows the December record turnout at Grove Park Elementary in Orange Park. With a semi-filled with food to be distributed two days ahead of MLK Day, Keystone Heights is likely to surpass Grove Park attendance.

“As far as food is concerned, absolutely,” Thomas said. This will be the biggest ever. And I have to say Celebration Church is a part of that. You know, they're our food partner, so they will be making sure the food is distributed not only there, but also in the Town of Orange Park at the same time, on the same day.”

Food also will be distributed at Vera Francis Park in Green Cove Springs by Food for Clay County.

When Impact Clay started the Train initiative, they couldn’t imagine its impact on Keystone Heights, Orange Park and Clay Hill. It grew to be so popular that they expanded their monthly stops to include Green Cove Springs this year.

Families will receive nearly a shopping cart full of food at Keystone Heights and Orange Park, said Brooke Davies, Impact Clay’s Director of Community Development. She said that because the nonprofit wanted to ensure they could sufficiently feed a family for more than a few days, they will only have enough food for the first 150 families at both Keystone Heights and Orange Park.

At Keystone Heights, however, other customary Impact Clay Train free services will be available, like:

• Increased mobile access to healthcare to bring services closer to residents, especially those in underserved or remote areas. This improves access to medical care and health information, reducing barriers to seeking medical help.

• Early intervention and prevention to conduct regular check-ups, provide health and mental health education, and provide outreach programs to identify health issues early and promote preventive measures to reduce healthcare costs.

• Chronic disease management for individuals with chronic conditions to provide ongoing support and monitoring, helping patients manage their conditions more effectively and reducing hospital admissions.

• Improved health literacy to educate communities about healthy lifestyles, nutrition, and disease prevention so that they can make informed decisions about their health.

• Mental health and addiction support to address mental health and addiction issues, providing counseling, support, and referrals to appropriate services for those in need.

• Hygiene support units comprised of laundry, shower and hair services are often unaffordable or not available in remote locations. Not only do these services reduce the risk of illness, but they also raise the mental well-being of residents who often see themselves as undesirable.

• Technical support mobile technology units bridge the gap for locations that lack Wi-Fi services. They also provide hands-on support for residents who cannot afford computer equipment, lack the knowledge to apply for benefit services, and have difficulty reading or communicating.

• Reduced disparities to underserved communities where mobile care teams can help reduce disparities in healthcare and social services access and outcomes, ensuring everyone has access to quality care.

• Community building can foster community and social support, positively impacting overall health and well-being for generations.

• Addressing physical and mental health issues earlier and reducing emergency room visits, mobile care teams can lead to cost savings for individuals and the healthcare system.

• Other services include free books, snacks, connecting with other public services and haircuts.

According to Impact Clay, the effectiveness of mobile neighborhood care teams must depend on factors like proper planning, collaboration with local stakeholders, funding, and the specific needs of the community they serve. The impact of such teams can vary from one location to another.

For more information, visit impactclay.org.