Update from Kate
SUPPORTING OUR VULNERABLE COMMUNITY MEMBERS DURING COVID-19
Please Share Widely:
We've all heard the advice: wash your hands frequently, practice social distancing, and stay home if you're feeling sick. With schools and businesses closing, this means that many of us are remaining in our homes, potentially for several weeks.
But what does this mean for those in our community who can't afford to miss work to stay home with their kids? How are our food-insecure community members going to obtain the resources they need to stay healthy?
These and many other questions about the physical, emotional, and financial well-being of our community are leading to important decisions among Marin County non-profit organizations about what critical services to continue providing, and how. The County is also looking into ways to support our residents through this difficult time.
Read below for updates from two key non-profits serving Marin residents, including ways for you to support your neighbors in need. If you are looking for additional ways to be involved, visit the Center for Volunteer & Leadership website: https://volunteer.cvnl.org/
Visit the official Marin County Coronavirus webpage (MarinHHS.org/coronavirus) to review answers to frequently asked questions or subscribe to receive email updates. In addition, individuals can contact Marin HHS with non-medical COVID-19 questions by calling the dedicated information call center at 415-473-7191 or by emailing covid-19@marincounty.org.
Wishing you good health,
Kate
The Food Bank continues to do the day-in and day-out job of making sure vulnerable neighbors get the food they need. They are putting solutions in place to be able to continue providing food and helping our community prepare for the challenges COVID-19 presents. The situation is rapidly evolving, but below is an update as of Saturday, March 14:
PROGRAMS
-
Pantry Network Closures: About a third of the SF-Marin Food Bank's pantries (around 90) closed as of Friday. The Food bank has encouraged all partners to continue essential feeding and grocery programs, and to follow the latest public health updates and safety best practices. Open sites can be found on their Food Locator.
-
Transitional Pop-Up Pantries: To compensate for these closures, the Food Bank is working closely with partners to stand up two Food Bank-staffed pop-up pantries in Marin. More details to come.
-
Changes to food distributions: The Food Bank has started buying and sending more food out to the pantries to make sure participants have a surplus in their kitchens in case they can’t attend a pantry for any reason. To address the lack of volunteers to sort and pack produce, they are buying more cased fruits and vegetables, which is more expensive but allows them to continue to distribute fresh fruits and vegetables without interruption.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
-
Volunteer Attendance: The Food Bank currently has a 52% cancellation rate for March, and already had nearly 1000 cancellations in April. Recruiting volunteers for both the warehouses and pantries likely opening next week is their main focus. Please share the link to volunteer with your networks.
COMMUNICATIONS
-
Press: Several news outlets have covered the Food Bank’s response. Help them elevate this information by sharing on social media:
The SF-Marin Food Bank plans to continue to carry out their mission as long as it's safe for their staff. Access to nutritious food is critical to maintaining good health and it’s more important than ever to reach people in need.
|
Dear friends and allies,
The news about the coronavirus (COVID-19) as it spreads throughout the country has been frantic, confusing, and a source of anxiety for many people. As a community-based organization that serves some of Marin County’s most vulnerable residents, Canal Alliance takes seriously our role to continue providing services while also acting as a critical bridge for communication with the immigrant community in Marin.
The potential risks of this viral pandemic to our clients cannot be overstated. During times of crisis, clients rely on Canal Alliance for assistance and accurate information. Some clients do not have health insurance, and many face the prospect of lost wages because their employers do not provide paid time off. Wage loss can have devastating effects on low-income families, resulting in the inability to pay rent or utilities, or to purchase groceries or other essential household items. Hunger can increase for families who already face food instability. Also, while the recently announced school closures in Marin present challenges for all families, these challenges are greater for low-income families – parents may need to stay home (facing further wage loss) to provide child care, children who rely on meals provided at school may go hungry, and children who lack home access to the internet may be unable to keep up with their peers academically.
To ensure that clients have access to resources and information, and to support clients who are experiencing loss of wages, Canal Alliance has established a Client Support Fund. Your donation to this fund will support clients and families who face financial challenges during this crisis. Funds will be made available to families who need support to purchase groceries, to pay their rent or utilities, or to pay expenses for other urgent needs.
At the same time, we are prioritizing the health and safety of our clients, volunteers, staff and partners. We value keeping everyone safe, providing accurate resources and information, and being a source of calm during the panic.
Other Ways You Can Support Vulnerable Communities At This Time
- Offer paid time off for employees and workers who do not normally have this as a benefit of their employment.
- Avoid language that might blame others and lead to stigma: Remember that viruses can make anyone sick, regardless of a person’s race or ethnicity. Avoid making assumptions about who might have COVID-19.
- Share and discuss only factual and accurate information from reliable sources with your neighbors, friends and colleagues.
- Follow prevention and hygiene methods recommended by the CDC and the Department of Public Health, including frequent hand washing and social distancing.
As this situation evolves, we are closely monitoring guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Marin County Department of Public Health. We will continue to rely on their recommendations and expertise to inform our planning and decision-making. We will share critical updates on our website, via our newsletter, on social media, and through targeted emails to clients and the community.
Canal Alliance is grateful to serve as a trusted messenger in the community. With your support, we play a crucial role in serving the immigrant community during times of crisis. Our priority at this time is to continue providing services to the community to the extent possible, and to serve as a critical bridge of communication for Latino immigrants.
Thank you for supporting our efforts to ensure that Latino immigrants remain healthy and financially secure during this challenging time.
|
|