By the Joint Information Center Team
The Garrett County Joint Information Center is directing all questions and local offers of donations related to COVID-19 to Garrett County Community Action. The non-profit has been appointed to manage all local contributions related to COVID-19 such as homemade face coverings, food assistance, volunteer sign-ups, and cash donations.
Community Action has announced six separate food drives throughout the month of June.
Nonperishable food will be collected, with the first date today, at the following locations:
- Pine Grove Church of the Brethren:
June 8th 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
June 11th 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
June 15th 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
June 18th 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Bloomington Volunteer Fire Department:
June 19th 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Friendsville Volunteer Fire Department:
June 20th 10:00AM to 12:00 PM
A volunteer portal at www.garretthealth.org/community has been designed by the Health Department to aid Community Action with the critical digital infrastructure to coordinate offers of help as well as the distribution of donations.
The portal has a list of the specific foods requested based on Ready.gov/food recommendations for stocking a three-day supply of non-perishable items such as canned food, dry mixes and staples not requiring refrigeration.
Those most-needed items include:
- Soups – Chicken Noodle & Tomato
- Beef stew
- Hormel complete meals – any type
- Tuna pouches or cans
- Canned chicken
- Canned vegetables
- Fruit—canned or fruit cups
- Juice
- Raisins
- Crackers
- Granola bars
- Whole grain cereals (ex. Cheerios)
- Instant Oatmeal
- Peanut Butter
- Jelly
- Mac & Cheese cups
- Spaghetti sauce
- Spaghetti Noodles
- Pasta sides (instant potatoes, noodles or rice in packets)
- Tuna Helper
- Rice
- Applesauce (cans or cups)
For those who are not online, any offer of support can be initiated by contacting Courtni Helmick, Family Self-Sufficiency Manager at Community Action, by calling 301-334-9431 ext. 6143. Cash donations are encouraged by the county COVID-19 response team and will be graciously accepted.
