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Show Wed/Thurs/Fri, March 18-20, 2020 C-3 The Park Record TANZI PROPST/PARK RECORD Jaime Mira, food pantry manager at the Christian Center of Park City, delivers a freshly put-together box of groceries to a community member in need at the center’s food bank on Monday. Community members in need of the food pantry’s service many register on line at ccofpc.org. Continued from C-1 Services remain open Christian Center’s counseling center administration, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at 435-6492260 ext 1 or by email at counseling@ccofpc.org. Since the threat of COVID-19 became clear, the Christian Center’s counseling service has been helping community members by answering questions and easing their anxiety, according to Harter. “Even people who aren’t our regular counseling clients have been asking how they can talk with their children about and deal with the virus,” he said. Both of the Christian Center’s food pantries in Park City and Heber are open to help those with food insecurity, but there have been some changes that adhere to the Summit County mandate on restaurants, Harter said. “The food pantries will be handled on a grab-and-go approach,” he said. Those in need can sign up for the food pantry by visiting ofpc.org and selecting the Park City or Heber link to request the service. “We will give approved requests up to two-weeks worth of food to minimize the need for them to keep returning to the pantries,” Harter said. In addition to the counseling and food pantries, the Christian Center also offers another program, the Basic Needs Assistance Fund. The program helps pay rent, utility and medical bills, according to Harter. “We have offered this for years now, but I think because of the new situation, this is really important now, because people are already being laid off from work,” he said. “Some people have more than one job, and one or more of their hours have been cut or stopped alto- gether.” Applications can be filled out online at ofpc.org. “Once a request is made, we run it through our caseworker or social worker and we meet with the applicants by phone or teleconference,” Harter said. “After the requests are approved, we will send the check directly to the apartment manager, power company or clinic.” While the Christian Center does have funds available for these programs, donations are appreciated, Harter said. “We definitely would like people to give to our Basic Needs Assistance Fund, because we want to make sure people won’t be evicted or lose their power,” he said. “You can imagine if rents range from $400 to $1,000 a month, that can add up quickly, and if the crisis ends up going longer than a couple of weeks, it can do a lot of damage.” The Christian Center staff is also calling apartment managers and asking them to give some leniency for those who are struggling to pay rent, Harter said. “We are letting them know that we will help the folks that have come to us for help,” he said. People who want to donate to the food pantries can do so by giving money, Harter said. “We want to reduce exposure points, so opposed to dropping off food, we would ask people to financially support the pantry,” he said. “That will help us keep the operation going, and we can use the money to purchase food in bulk, and also deliver it to the people and families that need it.” The Christian Center has already received calls from community members who want to help. “I have been so impressed with people coming out of the woodwork to do this,” he said. “It’s been amazing to see how many people have the heart to give. We’ve had people give who have never given before.” Jewish Family Service Jewish Family Service staff met early Monday morning to put some of their service plans in place, said executive director Ellen Silver. Like the Christian Center of Park City, Jewish Family Service, which is nondenominational, will continue its counseling and food pantry programs, Silver said. “We can do all of our counseling through the computer or telephone,” she said. “And we have adjusted our food pantry hours in Salt Lake City.” The food pantry will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every day, and the nonprofit is offering curbside pick up for food bags, according to Silver. “If we need to, we will think of opening up a pantry in Park City, but we know the Christian Center has been doing a great job of covering Summit and Wasatch counties with that,” she said. In addition, Jewish Family Service is prepared to help people in need, like those facing eviction, suspension of utilities, medical bills and rent upon approval, Silver said. “I think we’re really prepared, and we understand we have an important role to play in meeting the needs of some vulnerable people out there,” she said. “We’re working hour-by-hour to make sure we are meeting these needs.” In addition, Jewish Family Service is reaching out to older residents. (See story on Page C-2). Still, like the Christian Center and Park City Community Foundation, Jewish Family Service relies on monetary donations to continue these programs, and it is working with other nonprofits such as the Christian Center to expand its ability to help. “We are collaborating on these cases so we don’t drain either of our resources,” Silver said. Of course monetary donations always help, she said. “That money will go to buying food or other basic essentials for the people who need them,” Silver said. “We have a small emergency-assistance fund, and we think it will be tapped in the upcoming weeks.” To donate to Jewish Family Service, visit jfsutah.org. Convenient Banking Stop by or use our online banking or mobile app. Bank the way that’s best for you. People Banking With People Bank with the Local, Experienced People You Can Trust grandvalleybank.com 1225 Deer Valley Dr. 435-615-2265 |