Dozens of vendors bring free health resources to Sikeston community
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
SIKESTON, Mo. (KBSI) — A free health fair in Sikeston brought dozens of community resources together Wednesday, aiming to make preventive care more accessible for residents.
The Early Detection Health Fair, held at the Sikeston YMCA, offered a variety of free screenings, including blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and mobile mammograms.
Organizers said the event focused on early detection — helping people identify potential health issues before they become more serious.
“We were just making sure that those different information resources and health screenings were available to the public,” said Maddie Erin, one of the event organizers.
Nearly 40 vendors from across the region participated, including Saint Francis Healthcare, the Alzheimer Association, SADI, Home State Health and other local organizations. Representatives were on site to answer questions and connect attendees with services ranging from medical care to insurance resources like Medicaid and Medicare.
Organizers said events like this are especially important in rural communities, where people may not always be aware of what resources are available.
“In these rural communities, there are lots of things that are available, but it’s sometimes hard to learn about everything that’s out there,” Erin said.
Attendees received a “passport” to visit different booths and learn about services, encouraging them to engage with multiple providers in one place.
In addition to health screenings, families also received free food through a distribution supported by the Southeast Missouri Food Bank.
Organizers said the event grew out of conversations about the need for more preventative care options in the area.
“There’s a real need for more preventative care and early detection,” Erin said.
They said they were encouraged by the turnout, with dozens of people lined up before the doors even opened and hope to offer similar events in the future.
