If you’ve been online, turned on the tv, or gone outside at all in the past few weeks, you’ve probably heard mention of the Coronavirus (now known as COVID-19) only about every other word. With so much information going around from just about every source imaginable and a lot of us feeling uncertain of what the future holds, we thought it might be helpful to gather a few resources to help get you through the next few weeks or months.
Grocery: places like Fred Meyer and WalMart offer grocery pickup, but those slots are filling up fast, so you may want to consider using Instacart, which allows you to order your groceries online and have them delivered right to your front door. Grocery stores are also quickly rolling out special shopping hours for seniors and others with underlying conditions that put them at higher risk of COVID-19, so make sure to call your local grocer and ask if/when they can accommodate you.
Takeout/Food delivery: Many restaurants are closed for eating in, but remain open (some operating on a modified schedule) for takeout and delivery, so again, call your favorite eatery and see if they are still in operation. In addition, some apps like PostMates, DoorDash, and UberEats continue to operate, so you can still get your favorite foods while also practicing responsible social distancing.
Meals for children whose school has been cancelled: contact your school, as some are still providing breakfast and lunch for children during the closures. Now would be a great time to start joining facebook groups (like Pandemic Partners-Bend) and apps like Nextdoor, as people are stepping up to offer help with childcare and meals to families in need.
Out of work: If you’ve been laid off or your industry has been severely affected due to closures, places like Coscto, Amazon, and other grocery stores are looking to hire temporary workers to help keep up with the demand. In addition, you can sign up to be a delivery driver for the apps mentioned above (InstaCart, DoorDash, Postmates, UberEats, etc) to earn some extra cash to help get you by.
Looking for ways to help? Talk to your neighbors, your church, or a local charity about organizing free grocery delivery to elderly and sensitive people groups who may be afraid to leave home right now. If you are able, reach out to your community and find ways to donate time or resources and assist with meals for homeless, struggling families, and children who rely on school breakfast/lunch throughout the week.
We know this can be a scary time for many, but it is especially important to remain optimistic and come alongside one another to help in any way we can.
For the latest information on COVID-19 closures and impacts, visit: KTVZ or City of Bend