By: Muncie Non-Profit Organizations—
Muncie, IN—On Friday, May 1, 2020, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb announced the first step of easing economic and health restrictions on businesses and individuals that were limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many of you, the agencies in this article are eager to return to a normal state of operations and are relieved that the plan is a step-by-step process that will only move forward if we move cautiously.
Over the past several weeks, Delaware County non-profits, funders, and banks have gathered virtually to discuss what we have seen on the frontlines and to collaborate in our efforts to address community needs. Though some of us have transitioned to work remotely, some have been forced to close our doors, and many of us have continued to provide crucial services during this time.
Inside Out has surpassed 12,000 hot meals and, in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank, has distributed over 45,000 pounds of groceries. YWCA Central Indiana has continued providing emergency shelter for women and their children and A Better Way has offered a daily online chat option for individuals not able to make phone calls for help. Bridges Community Services is launching a Safe Recovery Site for our homeless who are sick. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie and YMCA have continued to provide childcare services to frontline workers. As organizations that take care of our most vulnerable populations, we fight for their safety daily. It is our duty to ensure that every member of our community is safe and healthy, but now we need your help.
This has been a difficult couple of months, but the people of Muncie and Delaware County have stepped up to help one another each day. From increased food and financial donations, to members of the community making masks for those in need, to staying home and eating local, this community clearly cares. But if we do not heed the advice of physical distancing, the use of face masks, and good hand hygiene, our two months of difficulty will stretch into more. If we aren’t cautious, we will have more infections, we will have more deaths, and the economy we’re trying to save will close down. The road to recovery will be that much harder.
As health and human services agencies serving thousands of individuals throughout the area—many of them your family, friends, neighbors, or coworkers—we want to be considerate of the economic needs of our community; however, we must balance that by ensuring the safety and health of our community. While the weather is nicer now, and social distancing has kept worst-case scenarios from becoming reality in our area, we want to remind everyone that there are still risks to our community, especially to our most underserved populations.
Please continue to protect yourself and your community by following the Center for Disease Control’s recommended practices concerning COVID-19:
- In the event you or anyone in your household is showing any symptoms (fever, cough, or shortness of breath), please stay home and contact your medical provider.
- Practice good hygiene, including washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Avoid close contact with people outside of your home and always cover your mouth and nose with a mask when others are around.
These and other practices can also be found at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
The health and safety of our community is the responsibility of all of us and we are relying on each of you to help us get through this pandemic as quickly and safely as possible. We urge everyone—individuals, businesses, government entities, and civic and religious groups—to join us in practicing safety and patience. We’ve come this far together; let’s hold the line a little longer so we can all enjoy our shared success in the future!
Thank you for all you’ve done to help slow the spread and for answering the calls for help from your neighbors.
We will come out of this better together.
Signed,
Alpha Center
Ball Brothers Foundation
A Better Way Services
Boys and Girls Clubs of Muncie
Bridges Community Services
BY5
Christian Ministries of Delaware County
Collective Coalition of Concerned Clergy
The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County
George and Frances Ball Foundation
Goodwill Industries Nurse Family Partnership
Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity
Home Savers of Delaware County
LifeStream Services
Little Red Door of East Central Indiana
Muncie Black Expo
Open Door Health Services
Project Leadership
Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana
Soup Kitchen of Muncie
United Way of Delaware, Henry & Randolph Counties
YMCA
YWCA Central Indiana
