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By NATHAN HOWELL | Special to the Reporter

PELHAM – Community of Hope Health Clinic will be hosting a free COVID-19 testing event at the Mi Pueblo Supermarket in Pelham on July 28 from 1-5 p.m.

The goal of the event is to help people within the Hispanic community receive testing in a comfortable environment. Community of Hope is also collecting masks to give away at the event so the families that come by will be able to better protect themselves during the continued fight against the novel coronavirus.

“We serve the Hispanic community in Alabama,” said Justin Johnston, Executive Director. “Not only can language be a barrier, but so can financials. We are looking to do the testing and give away some masks to some of our patients who may not have access to them.”

Community of Hope is partnering with the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama, UAB, Alabama Health Education Centers and the ADPH to put on the testing.

“HICA is going to give us clear backpacks. We are going to put masks in them to give out to each family,” Johnston said. “We have patients who need them on a regular basis, so we want to be able to provide them.”

The group has enough supplies to do 150 tests, and Johnston said if the event is popular that they plan to put on another event the next week.

The testing will be done in a drive-through setting and no appointment is necessary to get testing. The staff will give the testing materials and it will be self-administered unless help is needed.

“Since we shut down on March 16, we tried to find innovative ways to continue to service the community,” Johnston said. “We are doing our best to make it easier not only for the patients but for the base in general. We are gearing this toward the Hispanic population but we will test anyone.”

For more information about the testing event or Community of Hope visit Communityofhopeclinic.com