Local Organizations, Churches Band Together To Help Those In Need During Coronavirus Pandemic
Above: Brynn and Easton Coats are busy bringing out items to patrons visiting the Irvington Food Pantry on Sunday, March 15. (Photos by Leah Williams)
By Leah Williams
The Irvington Food Pantry was offering curbside services hours before it was mandatory procedure.
The pantry modified its Sunday, March 15, hours where volunteers brought boxes of food, toiletries and other donated items to vehicles as they parked outside the building.
Rev. Stacy Tate of Friedens United Church of Christ in Irvington said the pantry had nearly given away all of its 40 prepared boxes during Sunday’s service hours.
“It seemed like this was as safe as we can handle this,” Tate said of the modified service.
Gov. Pritzker would later enforce all restaurants and bars to close their dine-in services until March 30.
The Irvington Food Pantry is available to all eligible Washington County residents. Donations can also include other items as they become available. The pantry will be open again on Saturday, March 28.
Rev. Tate said she is in hopes that in this unprecedented time, there is a unified effort to come together and help those in need.
“We just hope that during this time, people are taking care of each other,” Tate said. “Whether it be through their business or their neight, we hope they are watching out for each other.”
Several local organizations and churches have also released information about ways they are reaching out to the community during the public health crisis.
The Nashville Moose Lodge posted on its Facebook page about organization efforts to assiste community
“In these times of school closings and people not being able to go to work we are here to assist our community. Please help us collect food items so that no kid will go hungry or anybody else for that matter,” the post said.
Citizens are encouraged to bring donations to the Community Center of Nashville at Bingo Night or the next meeting on Sunday between 5 and 6 p.m. Interested persons can also call Greg at (618) 327-6297 or Chris at (618) 314-1000 to arrange pickups.
Items to donate can include non-perishable food items such as cereal, crackers, cookies, peanut butter, jelly, canned fruits or vegetables. Anyone who is in need of help can contact the Moose, and “we will do our best to help you out.”
“This is a time where we should come together and help our fellow neighbors,” the post continued.
Grace United Methodist Church has a Little Food Pantry that members plan to keep filled throughout the next few weeks. Anyone with an immediate need for food is welcome to come and take what they need from the pantry.
The church is also looking at other ideas to help with food insecurity throughout the county.
Nashville District 49 will be handing out free breakfasts and lunches to all school-aged children during mandated school closures. The sites are at the Nashville Middle School, Trinity-St. John, St. Ann School and Trinity Hoyleton.
The Nashville News will continue to broadcast other organizations and churches who are offering helpful services during this time. Email the newsroom at news@nashnews.net for more information.
