Editor’s Note: Helping Hands is a new weekly column to connect individuals and organizations in need with members of the community able to lend a hand in this time of crisis. The column draws on reporting for our online State of the Town weekday bulletin. We’re publishing the information here for the benefit of readers of our print edition.
Loaves & Fishes food pantry in Devens, which serves Ayer, Devens, Dunstable, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, and Shirley, is currently closed, but it is in the process of regrouping so it can open its doors again. It needs the following for that to happen:
- Monetary donations. The pantry needs money to restock the shelves that were depleted when client numbers increased dramatically prior to closing a few weeks ago. To limit virus exposure, donations of food and other supplies are not currently being accepted. Donations may be made online at loavesfishespantry.org/donate-now, or by mailing a check to Loaves & Fishes, P.O. Box 1, Ayer, MA 01432.
- Fresh volunteers in less vulnerable age groups. Email volunteer@loavesfishespantry.org if you can help for up to a three-hour shift during one or more open pantry or stocking sessions each month. Jobs include packaging food, bringing client bags to the distribution area, directing traffic, and restocking shelves.
- Box trucks and drivers. Two to four drivers and trucks are needed to take turns doing the weekly pickup of 15,000 pounds of food at the Greater Boston Food Bank. Pickups are on Monday or Tuesday morning or early afternoon. Contact foodcoordinator@loavesfishespantry.org if you can help.
Until Loaves & Fishes reopens, any residents (not just seniors) who need the food pantry should contact Council on Aging Director Debbie Thompson at 978-456-4120.
Local restaurants and the Harvard General Store need the public’s support, either as takeout customers or by purchasing gift cards. The General has curbside pickup of groceries, bread, prepared foods, bakery items, beer, wine, and other essentials on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, noon to 3 p.m. Order ahead, online, at www.harvardgeneralstore.com. Local pizza places are open for pickup and delivery, and many local restaurants are offering takeout for pickup and/or delivery. Some also offer family meals for four or six people. Purchasing gift cards is another way to help; see restaurant websites for details.
Harvard Council on Aging Director Debbie Thompson reports that the agency is currently all set for masks. Seniors who would like a mask can contact the COA, and someone will either leave the mask on the front porch of Hildreth House, or it will be delivered by the COA van. Thompson said every mask will come with information on how to clean it, and masks should be cleaned before first use and after every use.
Thompson said she currently also has enough volunteers for the Adopt-a-Senior program. Seniors who would like to be adopted by a volunteer who will check in with them on a regular basis, make trips to the grocery store or pharmacy, or provide other assistance, should contact the COA (978-456-4120).
Emerson Hospital has seen an uptick in COVID-19 patients this week, and it is accepting contributions of critical supplies and equipment, as well as cash donations of any amount. A full up-to-date list of what is needed, which includes digital thermometers and hand sanitizer, is available on the “How You Can Help” page of Emerson’s website at https://www.emersonhospital.org/coronavirus-covid-19-resources/covid-19-help. According to the webpage, Emerson currently has enough hand-sewn masks, but it will “gladly accept those you have in progress.” It is also still accepting donations of homemade face shields; instructions are on the webpage.
Nextdoor Harvard has a Help Map feature, which allows residents to sign up to help neighbors or to get help from a neighbor who has signed up. The Help Map appears on computer browsers on the Nextdoor homepage in a box to the right of the main column. On the Nextdoor mobile app or in a mobile browser, it will be a choice in the “More” selection of the main dropdown window.
—Compiled by Joan Eliyesil and the staff of the Harvard Press
