The Grand County Outbreak of Kindness continues providing food and running errands for those impacted by the pandemic, and now has an additional mission: to provide masks in response to the statewide mandate to wear masks in public places. The need for both adult and children’s masks has escalated, especially as teachers and children are preparing to return to school classrooms.
The Outbreak of Kindness, a volunteer force more than 200 strong, was formed by community leaders in communication, public health and the faith community in response to the urgent needs created by the pandemic.
Since March, the group has served as both the volunteer arm of the county, as well as providing and delivering weekly food and personal supplies to more than 40 individuals and families impacted by the virus.
Those weekly food deliveries now include children’s and adult masks, handmade or donated by the community for those who need them.
Founders of Outbreak of Kindness recognized the need to combat the pandemic with a local program that could respond quickly to help contain the virus by supporting education, outreach and special needs of those self-isolating at home.
The group has facilitated partnering with the local faith community and public health resources to coordinate a volunteer organization empowering locals to help vulnerable friends and neighbors. One of their partners, the Church of the Eternal Hills had an existing food pantry, which was quickly expanded and supported with donations, as it was one of the immediate needs for folks faced with sudden business closures resulting in job losses.
The Church of the Eternal Hills collaborated with Grand County Rural Health Network and more than 200 citizen volunteers willing to combat hunger and sudden food insecurity. St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, Mountain Family Center and many other organizations are supporting the effort to provide supplies on Saturdays for distribution sites in Granby, Kremmling, Hot Sulphur Springs, Tabernash and Grand Lake. Fraser and Winter Park may also receive services by request. Check Facebook-GCoutbreakofkindness or call Outbreak of Kindness at (970) 363-6460 for more information.
Outbreak of Kindness is a flexible program which intends to persevere to meet changing local needs as the weeks of the pandemic endure. Co-founder, Cara McDonald stated, “Our mission is to help contain the virus and support those in need or are in self-isolation or quarantine due to the virus. We anticipate that the need may grow (this winter). Recently Outbreak has expanded its services to tackle the pressing need for masks to comply with the state mandatory mask order.”
Donations are gratefully accepted for shelf stable food, cash and masks and can be dropped off at Church of the Eternal Hills in Tabernash, M-Thu between 10 am and 4 pm. Please call CEH at (970) 887-3603 to ensure that someone will be at the church if you want a receipt for donations. Volunteers are needed each week for shopping, sorting, unloading truck supplies, driving and delivering food handouts. Many contactless positions are also available for volunteers over 60 years of age or those with computer intake skills.
