Monroe County Family Coalition handing out COVID-19 rapid tests

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — A local nonprofit is trying to get more COVID-19 tests out in communities that need them after Christmas get-togethers and before New Year’s parties.

The Monroe County Family Coalition was formed in June of 2020 during the George Floyd protests. It says its goal is to make a change and look at diversity, equity and inclusion in the community.

Last week, the nonprofit partnered with Monroe County and United Way to hand out COVID-19 rapid test kits to the communities it serves.

CEO and President Dina Johnson said she wanted to start handing them out in a neighborhood in Greece to those who didn’t have the chance or the means to go to a give-away site to pick up their own kits.

The goal was to reach grandparents, kids and those who need it the most in vulnerable neighborhoods. Johnson said they were given 90 kits and have about 16 left right now.

"They were grateful," Johnson said. "The first question was ‘Is it free?’ So it’s like, ‘Absolutely, yes!’ This is a free initiative so they were happy and some of the visitors are from out of town so this was going to make them feel more secure, more safe… not stand in line trying to get a rapid test done but they would have these results right in their hands."

Johnson said if they are able to get more test kits they will expand to other communities. She said they plan on handing out the rest of the kits they have this Thursday.