The Kandiyohi County Food Shelf supplied 28 food boxes to Bethesda residents, tenants and clients on March 23 to help ensure their food stability in the recent wake of novel coronoavirus (COVID-19) , as people stay home to reduce their exposure to the virus.
“Bethesda partnered with the Kandiyohi County Food Shelf in identifying some of our residents and tenants who needed food, and worked with Central Community Transit, which provided free delivery of the food,” said Michelle Haefner, president and chief executive officer at Bethesda. “Many of these people faced resource limitations that required more frequent visits to the grocery store, which as a vulnerable population, increased their exposure risk to COVID-19. This coordinated effort was a success, as we were able to bring food to people who needed it. As Bethesda continues to restrict visitors to help ensure the health and safety of our residents and tenants, we realize this results in some limitations. It was encouraging to see community organizations working together for the benefit of others.”
The Kandiyohi County Food Shelf provided food boxes to three independent living tenants, 15 residents of Centennial Square, which is owned and operated by Bethesda, and 10 Bethesda At Home clients, who receive home health care, according to Alana Ziehl, executive director at the Kandiyohi County Food Shelf.
Twenty-five of the 28 people who received food boxes were new clients of the food shelf, Ziehl said, which shows there is a need at this time.
“There are many elderly people in Kandiyohi County that aren’t going out due to the virus and need food,” Ziehl said. “The individuals we helped today are great examples of those that should and do utilize the Kandiyohi County Food Shelf. The Kandiyohi County Food Shelf has reached out to other low-income housing apartments in Kandiyohi County. We are so happy to help and hope this partnership continues once we get back to ‘normal.’”
Each box of food distributed included canned products such as meats, vegetables, soup, applesauce, fruit, peanut butter, spaghetti sauce, pasta noodles, juice, macaroni and cheese, oatmeal, granola bars, cold cereal, frozen meats, milk and yogurt, Ziehl said.
“Through various response efforts during this time of uncertainty, Bethesda is committed to responding to the needs of those most vulnerable within our community,” Haefner said. “We appreciate those who have made food or monetary donations to the Kandiyohi County Food Shelf so that others can receive basic necessities. We all must continue to work together to help take care of one another.”
The mission of the Kandiyohi County Food Shelf, which has been helping county residents since 1982, is to help relieve the suffering from hunger by providing food assistance. The food shelf serves approximately 2,300 people a month. Most households live paycheck to paycheck and just one bad event such as getting laid off, a health issue or a death in the family can lead people to seeking the food shelf’s help, according to Ziehl. For more information about the Kandiyohi County Food Shelf – to access food or to make a donation – call 320-235-2641, or visit the food shelf at 624 Pacific Ave. SW, Willmar.Central Community Transit is running essential service public transportation during this time of COVID-19, with greatly adjusted routes. Riders are asked to contact their local CCT office to check on bus schedules. The Willmar office phone number is 320-214-7433. CCT also is assisting community efforts with food distribution.
Bethesda is a not-for-profit social ministry organization dedicated to serving seniors in West Central Minnesota through residential and community-based health and wellness services. Bethesda, which has been caring for seniors for more than 100 years, provides a full continuum of care, including skilled nursing care, short-stay therapy centers, home health care, outpatient therapy, independent and assisted living, adult day services, and a wellness center. For more information call, 320-235-9532 or visit the website, www.BethesdaWillmar.org.
