Opelousas - Several area legislators recently toured the St. Landry-Evangeline United Community Health Center in Eunice. United Way board members and staff joined the Center’s staff to welcome Representatives H. Bernard Lebas, Micky Guillory and Elbert Guillory and Senators Eric LaFleur and Butch Gautreaux.

United Community Health Center, located at 450 Moosa Blvd. in Eunice was established in 2003 by the St. Landry-Evangeline United Way and provides free medical and pharmacy services to the working uninsured of St. Landry, Evangeline and Acadia parishes.

According to Center director, Yancy Fontenot, the program is making a significant impact on the community by meeting the health care needs and prescription drug needs of thousands of working people and the elderly. “In 2007, over 20,000 prescriptions were filled through the community pharmacy and the PAP program combined, with a value of over eight million dollars”, states Fontenot. Medications are donated by area nursing homes and national pharmaceutical companies and services are provided by local volunteer doctors, nurses and pharmacists.

St. Landry-Evangeline United Way director, Cathy Duplechin wants the public to know about the free clinic’s financial needs. “Almost everything we provide is donated, but there is a critical need for financial support for salaries of permanent staff, building and maintenance needs and general upkeep,” states Duplechin. Financial contributions can be sent to United Community Health Center; 450 Moosa Blvd., Suite E; Eunice, La. 70535 or St. Landry-Evangeline United Way; 311 W. Vine St.; Opelousas, LA 70571 or for more information, call (337) 942-7815.