By Emily Enfinger | The Selma Times-Journal

Vaughan Community Health Services is partnering with Winn-Dixie to educate the community about a healthier way of living.

“We’re happy to have them here,” said Jody Williams, Winn-Dixie area manager.

On the first Wednesday of every month, Karen Morris, community health educator for Vaughan Community Health Services, and Becky Casey Rives, R.N. M.S.N., will be stationing a wellness booth at the Winn-Dixie on Dallas Avenue from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

“I thought it would be a different way to reach out to people in the community,” Morris said.

The Wellness Wednesday booth is set up on just inside of Winn-Dixie to the right of the entrance, next to the shopping carts. The booth contains pamphlets for shoppers to take as well as cookbooks and posters for shoppers to view before they start shopping. Cashiers will also be giving out items such as stickers, pencils, health coloring books and more. Each month there will be new posters, pamphlets and giveaway items, discussing a different topic of health.

“We are in there to help people talk about their lifestyles, try to help them, encourage them in a different way,” Morris said.

Morris said Wednesday, Jan. 6, was their first day out on the site. She said she placed 66 apples that read, “a healthier choice,” throughout the store. Soon more apples will displayed and will be accompanied with a three-inch by five-inch card explaining why that particular item is healthier.

Morris said the Wellness Bus and Mr. Apple will be in the store next week. She will contain pamphlets and information booklets for kids to read.

Morris said in the future there will be occasional free screenings by Vaughan Community Health Services as well as free samples of healthy recipes. Winn-Dixie will cook and serve samples from a healthy recipe and give out printed copies of the recipe. Morris said the recipes will be around $10 or less to make.

For more information about Vaughan Community Health Services, visit vhcs-inc.com or call 827-3303. For more information about Wellness Wednesday or becoming a sponsor, contact Morris at 412-2875.