A local non-profit organization first profiled in Catholic Times last year has begun making the difference it promised in the healthcare of those with no access to general medications.

Twelve Baskets Full, Inc. of Springfield last month accepted its first-ever donation of medications, many of which were sent on a mission trip to Honduras. The Sangamon County Sheriff's office made the donation.

"I was immediately intrigued about the concept when we were approached," said Sheriff Wes Barr. "After checking out the legal process for handling and transferring these unused medications, it was an easy decision for us."

Twelve Baskets Full collects medicine that would otherwise be destroyed and repurposes it to people in need served by medical mission groups.

"Inmates at correctional facilities may need medications like antibiotics or hypertension medications, but when that inmate is discharged or transferred, that medication can't be prescribed to another inmate and is typically destroyed," said Dr. Roderick Matticks, Twelve Baskets Full president and CEO and Little Flower parishioner.

Matticks said there are strict guidelines for what medications can be donated. Any medications that have left the properly documented chain of custody or have been opened are off limits. The organization will not accept controlled substances, medications that require refrigeration or any medication from individuals.

All donated medications are handled by licensed medical distributors at all times and save medical missions, which many times must buy medicine from wholesalers, valuable dollars that can go to other aspects of their mission trips.

More information is available by visiting www.12basketsfull.org.