Efforts underway to locate and assist those in need

Editor:
I was delighted to read in The Echo about the establishment of a Caremongering Facebook group for Creemore and the surrounding area.  As founder Jenn Hubbs outlines in her original post,  it is “a place to post if you would like to offer help, or if you are in search of assistance.”
How wonderful to see all elements of the community – village residents, farmers, business owners, weekenders – coming together to help one another in these difficult times. And the group has now grown to over 300 members. What another wonderful example of “the little village with the big heart” operating in everyone’s best interest.
Of course not everyone is on Facebook, so there are undoubtedly members of the community who cannot be reached in this way. There are individuals trying their best to figure out ways to locate and assist the elderly and others in need, and of course those needs can be varied: food, anxiety, isolation, domestic violence, etc.  Food needs (and medicine delivery) can be addressed in part by the kind volunteers in the Caremongering group doing pickups and deliveries. The Clearview Stayner Food Bank is working extremely hard to satisfy increased demand, and of course the women’s shelter My Friend’s House in Collingwood is always available to assist victims of abuse. Clergy from the various religious institutions in the area are experienced in assisting with spiritual and other guidance for those in distress.  For some of the other needs, connections with local volunteer professional counsellors would be extremely helpful. 
The situation we are faced with is entirely unprecedented, but it is wonderful to see the community coming together as it attempts to assist and protect its most vulnerable members.
Barbara Mann,
Creemore.