Special Section: The COVID-19 Pandemic though it may be scheduled as far out as two weeks due to demand, Andrew says.
off the gas a little. Angelo fed only 30 kids on the Friday before APS’s scheduled spring break, suggesting to him that families had identified other reliable sources of food or that benefits had kicked in. He decided to scale back meal service to one day a week. Friday was their last day of service. Despite dozens of food pantries and businesses like Your Pizza Shop in Summit County, not everyone can access food from these sources. If you don’t drive, you may not be able to get food at a drive-through food pantry. Metro RTA has reduced service, making it more difficult to navigate the city by bus. People with disabilities were already facing a caregiver shortage, which the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated. And immunocompromised people and seniors are encouraged to stay home as much as possible. Both Good Samaritan and the foodbank accept walk-ups at their drive-through service, Michele and Dan say.
If you need mobile meals, United Way of Summit County’s 211 program — a phone line that anyone can reach by dialing “211,” which will connect them to the services they’re looking for — is ,working with DoorDash to get food to people who are at high risk from COVID-19, according to communications manager Andrew Leask. The pilot program delivered more than 1,000 25-pound boxes of nonperishable food in Summit County, Canton, Massillon and Alliance during its first month.
“As those numbers show, demand has been extraordinarily high, and we dare reaching the end of the available deliveries. We’ll be taking new requests ”for DoorDash deliveries until April 30,” Andrew says. To request grocery delivery, call 2-1-1 between 9 am and 1 pm. An operator will ask a few questions, verifying that you are high-risk and that you meet the income requirement of earning 230% of the federal poverty level or less. If you qualify, they’ll schedule a delivery —
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Meals on Wheels of Northeast Ohio has shifted to deliveries of 10 days’ worth of shelfstable meals at a time, practicing no-contact delivery. Their next delivery is scheduled for April 22-24. Currently, hot and frozen meal delivery is scheduled to resume on May 18. To enroll, call 330-515-5605. As Ohio anticipates the gradual lifting of stay-at-home orders, food service providers are preparing for a season of dramatically increased need. The pandemic left hundreds of thousands of Ohioans unemployed, many of whom will not be able to return to work right away. Many Ohioans are still waiting on unemployment benefits. The foodbank, which supplies food to food pantries across the region, is facing ongoing declines in inventory. Normally, Dan says, 95% of the food they distribute is donated directly from retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and distributors. That supply chain hasn’t been disrupted yet, but demand has increased — meaning the foodbank is spending thousands of dollars buying food in bulk to give away. “There’s not going to be a charge to charities or people on any of that food, but it’s going to take six to eight weeks to get it here. And that’s the problem straight down the line,” Dan says. “Right now our inventory level is down. There’s more food on the way. And my concern is, over the next three to five weeks, how far down it will dip before those replenishments hit?” Charities also run on donations, which may dry up as time goes on. “Even when everybody can go back to work, you know, there’s going to be places that aren’t going to reopen,” Michele says. “I’m worried about… will food still be available? If people donate to us now, will they not donate to us later in the year when they normally do?” “A lot of us live two weeks away from the food pantry line,” Dan adds.` “It’s been more than two weeks.” // Rosalie Murphy is Editor-in-Chief of The Devil Strip. Reach her at rosalie@ thedevilstrip.com.
Above: Photo: The author with Fritz, a dog she once fostered.
Did you adopt a dog during COVID-19? Here are some tips by Sandy Maxwell
I
t’s a great time to adopt a new pet! As people find themselves at home with more time on their hands, pet adoptions are skyrocketing. As a former administrator for a dog rescue, I am both excited and slightly anxious about this news. Are adopters thinking it through? I’ve heard it countless times: “I’d love to have a pet but I work all day and they’d be alone.” It can be tricky to navigate the needs of a pet around a work schedule, along with everything else that life can throw at you. With the timeline of a return to normalcy being uncertain, I’m hoping that no one is taking on a new pet as a distraction or to alleviate boredom without considering the long-term responsibility. Dogs crave structure and leadership. With more people working from and staying at home, it would seem we have all the time in the world to bond with a new pet. But though we might find our days kind of structureless and free, dogs need a routine for their mental health. Feeding at the same time of day, regular walks and a predictable bedtime are very important for your dog. Even if you’re tired, lethargic or having a tough day, your dog still needs love, attention and playtime. You’re home… for now. Even the most well-behaved dogs can show signs of stress when things change. Suddenly being left alone during a workday could be borderline traumatic. Your dog doesn’t know where you are! He’s scared and confused. Separation anxiety can cause dogs to present new behaviors. They may bark and howl all day, chew up your couch or floors, and forget their potty training. The stress can cause mental or physical problems.
May 2020 · Vol 6 · Issue #5
Even though you’re at home right now, letting your dog spend some daily time in a crate with a chew toy or treat can be a great way to ease into the possibility of being alone once things change. Teach your dog that the crate is their “special space” where they can relax and feel safe. Crating should not be used as a “timeout” or punishment. They might not like it at first, but putting in the work now will make it easier in the long run should you need to leave your pet at home for extended periods of time. The extra expense toys, leashes and other accessories are part of the initial cost of owning a dog. Food is the primary ongoing expense. However, new pet owners have to consider whether they can afford vet bills if a health problem occurs. Genetic health issues can be hidden in puppies, and when you find out your new family member has a chronic condition, the commitment to keeping them well should be honored no matter the cost. Even healthy pets should have regular checkups and be kept up to date on vaccinations! Pet insurance is a great option to consider, and can save you money in the long run. The love of a pet is one of the greatest joys in life. Being prepared and informed is not only the key to a successful relationship, but it keeps pets from being returned to shelters when things don’t go exactly as planned. Give your furry family member unconditional love and commitment, and you will be rewarded immeasurably! // Sandy Maxwell is the bar manager at Pavona’s Pizza in Northwest Akron. She loves beer, whiskey, kayaking and pretentiously complicated progressive metal.
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