Editor’s Note: Helping Hands is a 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.
Harvard Council on Aging (COA) Director Debbie Thompson says that any senior who needs a mask can contact the COA at 978-456-4120, and someone will either leave the mask on the front porch of Hildreth House or it will be delivered by the COA van. Every mask will come with information on how to clean it.
Thompson said she has enough volunteers for the Adopt-a-Senior program. Seniors who would like to be matched with a volunteer who will check in with them regularly, make trips to the grocery store or pharmacy, or provide other assistance, should contact the COA. Note that volunteers try to consolidate trips to limit their own risk, so they may not be able to go to a specific grocery store.
Loaves & Fishes food pantry in Devens, which serves Ayer, Devens, Dunstable, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, and Shirley, is reopening on Friday, April 24. Pickups will be available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. twice a week for at least the next month. The full schedule and pickup instructions are available on the website at loavesfishespantry.org.
COA Director Thompson told the Press that if a resident who has a Loaves & Fishes account does not feel safe going to the pantry for a pickup, they can call the COA and ask for the van to deliver their order. This service is available to any Loaves & Fishes client, not just seniors.
The pantry is in need of monetary donations to keep the shelves stocked during this time of increased need. Donations can be made online at loavesfishespantry.org/donate-now, or by mailing a check to Loaves & Fishes, P.O. Box 1, Ayer, MA 01432.
Volunteers in less vulnerable age groups are needed; email volunteer@loavesfishespantry.org if you can help. Box trucks and drivers are also needed to take turns making 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. If you can help or know someone who can, contact foodcoordinator@loaves fishespantry.org
Emerson Hospital is accepting monetary contributions and hospital-grade supplies. A list of what is needed 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. Emerson currently has enough hand-sewn masks.
Due to the pandemic, this year’s annual 5k Run~Walk for Cancer Care will be virtual. The event is an important fundraiser for the hospital “because cancer never stops, even during a pandemic.” All proceeds go directly to support patients who receive cancer care at Emerson Hospital. Registration is now open; see the Virtual Events section on on this page for more information.
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
