Cook County Health has partnered with Stop the Spread, C19 Coalition and Project N95 to host a “Community Supper” to encourage residents of South Suburban Cook County to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The event will be held at Cook County Health’s mass vaccination site in Matteson, located at 4647 Promenade Way, on Saturday, July 17, from 10 am to 5 pm.

This event is a part of the C19 Coalition’s “Sunday Supper” series, a nationwide effort that aims to bring a community experience to vaccinations and advance vaccine equity. Funds were raised through Shot for Shots and NBA Top Shot.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Cook County Health has understood the importance of creating partnerships and developing connections at a local level to meet people where they are,” Cook County Health CEO Israel Rocha said. “We are grateful to Stop the Spread, C19 Coalition and Project N95 for working with us to create that communal feeling we all have missed and to reach out to individuals who remain unvaccinated, particularly as the delta variant takes hold.”

The first 200 people who visit the site to get vaccinated will receive a free kit of personal protective equipment (PPE) and a free to-go meal supplied by D’Masti Catering, located in Blue Island. Any person who refers a friend to get vaccinated during the event will be entered in to win one of four $100 gift cards to Hidden Manna Café or Flamin Hotties Chili. Cook County Health has partnered with the Chicago Federation of Musicians to provide live entertainment.

“The Community Supper is an example of spreading ideas from one part of the country to another in a way that is locally tailored to help build trust in vaccines,” said Sharon Knight, Executive Director of Stop the Spread. “We are delighted to team up with the C19 Coalition again and Cook County Health, a trusted community voice, to bring Sunday Supper to Cook County.”

“I’m so proud of the incredible team and partners that have come together to help make this Community Supper on this coming Saturday,” said Laura Mignott, the Sunday Supper project lead for C19 Coalition. “The goal of this event is to bring the vaccines to communities of color, fostering an event that brings people together, provides great food, PPE and dignity to the experience.”

Vaccines are free, regardless of insurance or immigration status, and walks-ins are welcome.

All three vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson) are available at the Matteson site; Pfizer is the only vaccine approved for individuals age 12 and older. Individuals under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Cook County Health has distributed more than 870,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine through its mass vaccination sites, clinics, pop-up events and community partners.

More information can be found at myshotcookcounty.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Elizabeth Pedersen, Communications Manager
elizabeth.pedersen@cookcountyhhs.org
312-805-1557