ELYRIA, OH – Various local churches, faith-based organizations, and nonprofits are joining forces in partnership with the City of Elyria to address resident’s needs throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the collaborative name We Care, they will initially focus on ensuring seniors and
individuals with disabilities have access to necessary foods and supplies through daily delivery.
Seniors and those with disabilities in need of food or other life essentials to be delivered can call 440-305-0455 and leave their name and address and their need or go to elyriacares.com and fill out the request form.
We Care is looking for volunteers to assist with delivering meals as well as answering phone calls and other tasks. We Care also established a fund to collect donations that will be managed by Church of the Open Door and overseen by a board of clergy from the participating congregations.
The funds will be used for COVID-19 response needs, including but not limited to food purchases and delivery to seniors. In addition to the city of ELYRIA, the collaborative will partner with existing organizations like Aramark and Second Harvest Food Bank to identify existing service gaps
that need to be addressed.
Individuals, organizations, and/or businesses interested in donating can donate online at elyriacares.com or they can go mail a check to We Care Elyria at 43275 Telegraph Rd., Elyria, OH.
Alex Marks from Church of the Open Door shared that “in order for a project like this to be successful in its goal of feeding and supporting seniors, we need commitments who aren’t in high-risk groups to help our seniors and those with disabilities during this vulnerable and important time. We’re encouraging people that feel like they fit that bill, to sign-up to volunteer with We Care. It’s time for our community to show how much we care.”
“We’ve been in serious evaluation mode for how to tackle COVID-19 in Elyria as a community, and how we as a City can be partners in an effort to meet these needs and to get people involved in safe ways” said Mayor Frank Whitfield. “This is a way that everyone can pitch in and do something. Even our phone operators will be able to volunteer from home so anyone can pitch in”
A virtual training will take place Tuesday, March 24 at 6:30 PM; training details will be shared with registered volunteers, and online at elyriacares.com, as well as on their Facebook page Facebook.com/elyriacares.
You can also reach the group by emailing Alex Marks at alex@opendoor.tv
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