Deschutes County hosts free health fair for families

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Parents and children across Deschutes County recently attended a free health fair in Bend today at the Deschutes County Health Services building. The event offered various health and family services, including free coupons for farmers markets, information on local child care programs, dental screenings and a mobile food pantry.

Deschutes County Health Services partnered with the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program to organize the health fair. Free coupons for families to use at farmers markets were a significant attraction at the event.

The fair also provided parents with details about various local child care programs. Attendees could access free dental screenings and utilize a mobile food pantry. Children at the event received free prizes, engaged in play and participated in educational activities.

Christine Pagano, a WIC supervisor, said that event organizers also enjoy the fair. Pagano noted that the event provides an opportunity for staff and partners to interact directly with participants, which is not always possible in an office setting.

"Our partners and our staff really enjoy putting on this event because it's an opportunity for us to, see our participants in person," Pagano said. "We don't we don't always get to see them in the office. So this is a fun time for us to be able to engage with our community partners, see the work participants and get those farmer's market coupons into the hands of people who want To use them."