COVID-19 How to Help

We are extremely grateful and humbled by the supportive messages and emails we’ve received from community members over the past few days. This local/regional/national/worldwide crisis we find ourselves in now is unprecedented, and seeing the generosity of the community opening their hearts to support each other during this time is something truly amazing.

We have received a lot of communication from individuals wanting to help, and so we want to make a post with some of the best ways you can help if you would like.

– We are calling those who are healthy and able to step up in this time of need so that we can continue to do the work of feeding vulnerable community members. We have been making changes to our programs in an effort to improve safety and avoid excessive personal contact. If you are interested in spending time here to help get food out to people, please contact Roy Nevil, our Volunteer Coordinator, at 260-447-3696.

– Monetary donations are extremely needed. We are allocating ALL donations at this time (unless otherwise requested) to COVID-19 relief efforts. We also have donations set up on our website where we pay a small credit card processing fee.

Some things to consider:
• Financial donations protect the donor, because you are limiting your exposure in a crowded store
• Financial donations allow us to purchase a greater quantity of items by shopping wholesale/bulk directly from distributors
• Fewer people will be handling the food product
• Stores can maintain their in-store stock for families who are doing their grocery shopping for their households

We are also accepting food donations, and some items that are especially needed include:
– Peanut Butter
– Canned Protein
– Canned fruits, vegetables, etc.

When donating food items, please consider that some families may find themselves without electricity or a means to cook. When shopping for food items, think about purchasing items that you could eat straight from the can/jar.

Other items desperately needed:
– Empty cardboard boxes for grocery distribution
– Plastic bags, take-home food containers, disposable silverware, other equipment to facilitate “no-touch” distributions to limit the risk of spread at food distributions, food pantries, and hot meal programs

Generous community partners, like restaurants, hotels, and retail chains are doing what they can to provide food to the community members and to food banks. With that said, these businesses are also limited in supplies and some are hurting for revenue with slowdowns in customers. We’re moved by their generosity and working with them as we’re able.

Thank you so much for your support!!!