COVID-19 forces socially-distanced event

by Robin Kemp

For the second year in a row, COVID-19 is forcing the Good Shepherd Clinic’s iconic Tomato Sandwich Party into drive-thru mode.

The Tomato Sandwich Party benefit will take place on Saturday, August 7, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Morrow, 1647 Lake Harbin Road, Morrow. Donation is $20.

The free clinic serves about 4,000 Clayton County residents each year whose households fall at 200% of the poverty line or below. (Medications are low-cost.) The clinic handles acute care and chronic conditions like high blood pressure, COPD, diabetes, and high cholesterol levels. It does not offer emergency services or STD testing.

Good Shepherd Clinic opened in 1980.

The faith-based nonprofit was founded in 2020 by Dr. Thomas Kelley and Rev. Jimmy Lewis. Good Shepherd provides about $1 million in services to low-income Clayton County residents each year.

Demand is high–and growing. Just before the COVID-19 outbreak, Good Shepherd set a goal to double its patient capacity by 2023.

The Good Shepherd Clinic is at 6392 Murphy Drive in Morrow, just behind the Morrow Police Department, and is open Mondays through Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Patients must bring proof of income and proof of residency to each visit. Call (770) 968-1310 or visit the clinic in person to schedule an appointment. For more information, e-mail info@goodshepherdclinic.org.

Leave a comment