NYC Dentist's Wisdom A Boon To The Homeless
NEW YORK (CBS 2) -- A lower Manhattan dentist is helping fill a need. If you visit her clinic, you're not just getting your teeth cared for. You can also help those in desperate need this holiday season.
CBS 2's Scott Rapoport reports on how this charitable checkup works.
Dr. Lily Eng said she had a hunger to help the less fortunate this holiday season.
"There are a lot of families that are homeless. Homeless and there's no food available to them," Eng said.
There's no food to help feed some of the more than 3 million New Yorkers who are having difficulty affording food.
"This is a good beginning, a good place to start -- with food. That's something everybody needs," Eng said.
So Eng came up with an idea that benefits everyone -- offering patients like Edmond Har a $49 dental service that includes X-rays, an exam and two cleanings. And in return, Eng donates all the proceeds she raises to the Food Bank of New York City.
"Yeah that's wonderful. The Food Bank helps provide five meals for every dollar that's donated to us," said the Bank's Patrick Mooney.
Mooney said his organization can provide about 250 meals at their soup kitchens for every patient Dr. Eng sees.
So far, Eng said she expects to raise more than $2,000.
"That's about 10,000 meals to New Yorkers that we can provide. Yeah, it's fantastic," Mooney said.
And her patients said they love the idea.
"What she did is great for helping people who are hungry," Har said.
Eng is also accepting food donations at her office on behalf of the Food Bank.
"So that's my way of giving back," Dr. Eng said.
And it's her way of trying to brighten the smiles of her patients -- and the lives of the less fortunate.
The $49 special to benefit the hungry expires on Saturday.
