Caring for Each Other During the Coronavirus

What can I do to help?

Last Updated: 5/1

We suggest that you bookmark/save this page to come back to for updates regarding needs, volunteering, sign ups, etc. You do not need to be a member or attend HPCUMC in order to serve, donate, or help. We have an opportunity to work together in order to care for each other. Please share with others!

UPDATE: Since Governor DeWine has decided that school building will continue to be closed the rest of the school year, we will continue to serve lunches daily as children are learning from home. Our last day of serving lunches will be Thursday, May 21 which is also the last day of school for Cincinnati Public Schools. 

The church and the services we are providing are STILL considered ESSENTIAL under Gov. DeWine’s order going into effect at 11:59p on Monday, April 6. Therefore, people are STILL ABLE to serve, drop off donations, and get the resources and food during distribution times. We are keeping up with protocol and limiting the amount of people serving to maintain social distancing and have plenty of sanitizer and gloves available for people helping to use.

The church building will be open from 10:00a-6:00p daily to receive donations at the Welcome Center.

Take basic precautions. Model healthy behaviors.

These simple steps will help you and those around you. They’ll also reduce your feelings of powerlessness.

• Practice good hand-washing techniques.Wash your hands with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds. If you can’t wash your hands, use hand sanitizer with 60-95% alcohol.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, or your bent elbow, when you cough or sneeze.
• Maintain at least six (6) feet between yourself and others.
• Seek medical attention if you or a family member experience a fever, cough, or shortness of breath.

 

Distribute free meals EVERYDAY to children. There are TWO options for locations: Hyde Park Community UMC (1345 Grace Ave.) AND the State Ave. UMC (690 State Ave) 

We are providing ALL children 18 and under with a FREE lunch EACH DAY (including Saturday and Sunday). The meals we will be serving are shelf stable so do not need to be refrigerated.

• Hyde Park Community UMC  (1345 Grace Ave.) will distribute food from 12:00p-1:00p at 1345 Grace Ave. every day (including weekends). Children need to be present to receive meals. 
• State Ave UMC (690 State Ave.) will distribute food from 3:00p-5:00p every day (including weekends). Children need to be present to receive meals. 
• We are following Gov. DeWine’s orders and all meals will be picked up and to be taken offsite (meals will be given out to CHIlDREN at HPCUMC and the Warehouse, but the kids need to take the meals home and can’t eat onsite). This option will allow the kids to be fed, but greatly reduce the risk associated with in person contact (think social distancing).
• Other ways you can help from your home in this area is helping to get the word out about this resource on social media and your networks OR make homemade masks for those serving and bring them to the church or email Pastor Kate to schedule a pick up (ksmith@hpcumc.org)
• To distribute meals at HPCUMC (1345 Grace Ave.) with shifts being 11:45a-1:15a daily sign up to serve here
• To distribute meals at State Ave UMC (690 State Ave.) with two shift options daily and helping to clean up the neighborhood on Mondays, Wednesday, and Saturdays sign up to serve here

Donate food to Madisonville Education and Assistance Center (MEAC)

MEAC has been working to meet the needs of the community since 1986 and HPCUMC has been a partner since it’s inception. In this time of crisis and uncertainty, MEAC wants our neighbors to feel secure in our ability to continue to meet the needs of the community, and to do so in a way that limits the risks to public health.

• We are continuing our Project 5000 food drive to support MEAC’s food pantry. You can buy the pantry items yourself or donate money (approx. $25 to fill one bag to feed a family of 4) that will go directly to MEAC to purchase food.
• Give online here – choose Project 5000 in the drop down menu.
• The church will be open from 10:00a-6:00p daily to drop off your donation. The church’s address is 1345 Grace Ave. Please drop off your donation in the Welcome Center (signs will guide you from entrances off the parking lot)  and it will be delivered to MEAC. This method allows for social distancing and allows you to come when you are able.
• Extra Project 5000 bags will be available if you don’t have a bag before you shop or if you plan to make another donation. Just fill the bag when you get here and feel free to take a bag if you want to make another donation.
• Below is the shopping list that will feed a family of 4. We’ve gotten feedback that people are going to multiple stores to get what’s on the list (that isn’t needed). Right now, please use the list as a guide not a rule in filling the bag. It is better to bring in a bag with alternative non-perishable items than wait until you find exactly what’s on the list.

Donate food, cleaning supplies, toiletries, and other school/art supplies to Rothenberg Preparatory Academy for students and families

HPCUMC has a 9-year partnership with Rothenberg Preparatory Academy. Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) is providing breakfast and lunch to children at various CPS locations – find a location closest to you and schedule of distribution here. We are accepting donations at the church and the donations will be distributed to families when they pick up food at Rothenberg. There is another option to give money directly to Collaborate and Care that will be used to purchase goods.

• The church will be open from 10:00a-6:00p daily to drop off your donation. The church’s address is 1345 Grace Ave. Please drop off your donation in the Welcome Center (signs will guide you from entrances off the parking lot)  and it will be delivered to MEAC. This method allows for social distancing and allows you to come when you are able.
• Please make your donation/bag with “Rothenberg”
• Ideas for donation:
  • Hygiene/Toiletry Kits
  • Educational/Fun Activity Kits (stickers, coloring pages, books, games, etc.)
  • Power Packs/Bags of Food/Non-perishable items, canned goods, etc.
• To give monetary donations please mail your check to: Cincinnati Public Schools; Attn: Collaborate & Care; P.O Box 5381; Cincinnati, OH 45201-5381

Schedule a Pick Up from New Life Furniture Bank and Donate Furniture, Dishes, Linens and Home Goods 

Many of you are currently using some of your time at home to organize and unload furniture, dishes, linens, homewares, etc. that you no longer need. Please call us if you would like to donate your furniture to people who are fleeing homelessness. Just give us a call at 513-313-0530, and we’ll pick it up (outside of course), and we’ll email you a receipt (all donations are tax-deductible).

Send Letters to Homebound Seniors

Mail letters/cards/pictures to isolated senior adults. Contact Pam Pilger at ppilger@hpcumc.org to obtain addresses.

Ideas/Resources for Children

• Stay connected with other children: decrease social isolation for children by submitting pictures of them and we will publish them in our weekly HPC Kids Newsletter (contact Pam Pilger to get the Newsletter for your family ppilger@hpcumc.org). They can be silly, happy, or sad. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. We are not alone. Together, as the body of Christ, we can remind our children of this.
• Children’s Sunday School Lessons: check out the HPC Kids Newsletter for brief, entertaining video lessons. The Preschool Theme is “Follow Jesus” and the Elementary Theme is “Forgiveness – It’s Up to You.” Contact Pam at ppilger@hpcumc.org if you are not on the HPC Kids mailing list.
• Sharing Prayers of Joys and Concerns: post your children’s joys and concerns on our Facebook Hyde Park Community UMC Children and Family Ministry group page. Then share what other children have posted and pray about them together with your child. The Facebook group is a closed group. Please join to help keep connected and supported.

Donate blood 

Denounce racism and xenophobia

Coronavirus has revived racial stereotypes, and harmed many. Remember – this outbreak is not confined to one race or ethnicity. There is never an excuse for racism. Speak out when you hear blame and shame being placed on a specific race or ethnic group.

Check on older family, friends, and neighbors

Share God’s kindness. And do it in a way that does not jeopardize their health. Many of the suggestions below are from Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Action, M.D., MPH.

• Call, send a text message or video chat. Ask how they are doing. Tell them you’re praying for them. Share a joke or memory.
• If you can’t call or text, talk through the door.
• Leave a hand-made card or small “thinking of you” gift on their doorstep or mailbox.
• Make sure they have plenty of food, water, and medical supplieson hand, or prepare a meal. Ask questions like “I’m running to the store – can I get you anything?” or “Are you hungry for anything in particular?” If store supplies allow it, stock them up for several days. Drop it off on their front door step.
• Run other errands – pharmacies for medicines, other stores for essentials
• If applicable, do basic yard work, take their trash or recycling to the curb or bin, or drop off their mail at their door.
• Support their four-legged friends. Help stock up on essentials like food, treats, etc.
• Think about what you would like if you were stuck in your home. Would you want books, games, other comfort measures?
• Identify a backup caregiver for your older relative who can step in if you get sick.

Supporting local partners 

Hyde Park Community UMC is proud to partner with local organizations, agencies, and schools. Now more than ever we need to come together as a community to support each other. Below is a list of places that we are (and will continue to) support financially and many through service thanks to people’s generosity and giving:

• Wesley Chapel Mission Center
• Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Cincinnati 
• Hyde Park Center for Older Adults
• Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati
• Wesley Education Center for Children and Families
• Madisonville Education and Assistance Center
• State Ave. United Methodist Church in Lower Price Hill
• New Life Furniture Bank
• Meals on Wheels of Southwest, OH and Northern, KY

Please contact Pastor Kate with any questions (ksmith@hpcumc.org)