Rio Dell Volunteer Corp Responds to COVID-19
Volunteer Corp Members Amanda Carter, Mayor Debra Garnes and Clark Abbott distribute food in Rio Dell. [Images from the City of Rio Dell]
A partnership between the Rio Dell Community Resource Center, Chamber of Commerce and the City of Rio Dell has formed to organize volunteers and provide assistance to community members 65 years of age and older during the COVID‐19 Pandemic.
On March 26, 2020 members of the group organized to distribute 25 bags full of canned and dry goods to seniors throughout Rio Dell. The food and bags were assembled by Sara Faught of the Community Resource Center (a branch of St. Joseph Health) while the Chamber and City organized the volunteers and developed a list of seniors in the community.
“Rio Dell’s motto is the ‘Warm Hearted City.’” Mayor Debra Garnes stated. “In times like this that motto has to become more than just words. It has to be action.”
Mayor Garnes was joined by Chamber President Nick Angeloff, and Volunteer Corp members Amanda Carter and Clark Abbott. Garnes went on to state that more volunteers were needed and that more seniors in the community should contact City Hall to be registered. “We’re in this for the long haul. We need volunteers and we need to know if you need help.” Garnes concluded by adding that if seniors were experiencing a medical or other emergency that they should continue to use the 911 system.
If you need assistance from the Rio Dell Volunteer Corp, call City Hall during normal business hours at 707‐ 764‐3532. We will need your name, phone number and address.
If you would like to volunteer to help provide community assistance, email [email protected]
This service can only be provided while supplies last and volunteers are available and there is no guarantee that the group can fill all requests, but we will do our best.
The City of Rio Dell is urging members of the public to practice social distancing and to adhere to the Shelter in Place orders of the Governor and Humboldt County Public Health Officer. More information can be found at https://humboldtgov.org/2018/Humboldt‐Health‐Alert and https://covid19.ca.gov/
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- Rio Dell Mayor Debra Garnes distributes food to seniors at Rio Dell Apartment Complex
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- Volunteer Corp Demonstrates Social Distancing
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- Chamber President Nick Angeloff carries food supplies to residents of Rio Dell Apartment Complex
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Great idea but poorly executed. The apartment complex you folks picked is a drop off site for the senior brown bag program. The folks are delivered to on the second Thursday of every month. In addition many of these same folks receive commodities distributed at the Journey Church on the third Thursday of the month. All of these programs are funded by Food for People and there are folks in our community without means, without the internet and without family and people to assist them. They are in are in true need of this type of services. Its truly unfortunate this program is reaching the people that are made aware of it and not the ones that could really use it. Don’t get me wrong there is a huge need in our senior community right now. It would just be awesome to see some of this spread out a little more than to some that are already double dipping. We have Seniors that because they draw social security only receive $20. Or less in food stamps monthly while families receive 4 or $500 monthly. Plus WIC and are able to receive from the food banks as well . Our Country was built on the backs of these folks and it’s horrible to watch how disrespected they are. I encourage everyone with elderly neighbors to reach out to them and check on them, see if they need something from the store, exchange phone numbers and attempt to give back to them. If we all do OUR part we could charge our community in a good way forever.
Thanks to everyone in Rio Dell that got out there and took action perhaps Food for people could lead you in a direction of shut ins (folks that are blind, deaf, and for different reasons are unable to leave their homes on a regular basis not due to a this virus) that may really need your assistance.