ELLICOTTVILLE — The Bob McCarthy Foundation, in partnership with Interfaith Caregivers Inc., began operating the Medical Loan Center at 17 Mill St. in March 2024.
Just over one year later, officials report the center has been a success, having a positive impact on those in need of medical equipment and supplies.
“The partnership has exceeded our expectations,” said Jon Falk, loan center manager.
An exceptional volunteer group is in place to staff the facility, and with the expertise of Interfaith Caregivers, which provides these services in Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties, the Ellicottville Medical Loan Center became operational quickly.
Julie Hall, executive director of Interfaith Caregivers, said that servicing this wide area through a single location in Olean was not optimal, but this expansion now provides better service to northern and western Cattaraugus County residents.
Earlier in May, the Bob McCarthy Foundation received a grant of $250 from the Connie and Sandy Wolfinger Fund, a donor-advised fund established by Harold “Sandy” and Connie Wolfinger at the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation.
Always looking to increase support in the community, this grant was used to purchase five new knee scooters for the Medical Loan Center. Volunteers at the Medical Loan Center noticed that knee scooters had a larger demand than they could supply, either from Ellicottville or Olean. Thanks to this grant and funding from other donors this year, that gap can now be bridged.
All services offered through the McCarthy Foundation and Interfaith Caregivers’ loan centers are free of charge, thanks to the generous contributions from our donors. The organizations do not rely on any government funding.
Falk and Jennette Kent, a volunteer registered nurse, have been visiting medical offices, county agencies and other facilities to spread the word about the loan centers, which officials report is driving the increase in clients.
“The word is getting out there,” Falk said as the loan centers partner with various community service agencies to ensure they provide for those in need. Loan center posters are hanging in many establishments, and now agencies like Meals on Wheels and county nurses are informing their clients of the services.
The Ellicottville Loan Center location has a variety of equipment and supplies, ranging from hospital beds, Hoyer lifts and wheelchairs to walkers, rollators, crutches, canes, shower chairs and bedside commodes — all medical durables loaned through the centers. However, many medical supplies like urinary and ostomy supplies, bed pads, bandages, adult diapers and many more are also provided at no cost due to generous donors.
The Ellicottville center is open Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon or by appointment by calling 716-860-2532 for any medical equipment needs. All donations of equipment are inspected to ensure good working condition and are sanitized before being loaned back out. Loan center staff can also provide vision and hearing loss services for those in need.
To donate or volunteer to help, contact the Bob McCarthy Foundation lead Jon Falk or any McCarthy board member — Anne Northrup, Kathleen Moriarty Fleming, Katy Arena and Greg Cappelli. Visit bobmccarthyfoundation.com for more information.
