CAP COVID-19 Response

As I write this, the world has been turned upside down for a time with the novel coronavirus global pandemic. The challenges we face bring the words of Thomas Paine to mind during the American Revolution, “These are the times that try men’s souls.” By the time you receive this issue of The Mountain Spirit, my prayer is that we will be experiencing worldwide recovery. The challenges we face are great, but God is faithful.

Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) began taking serious steps in early March to protect both employees and volunteers, along with our participants, by limiting unnecessary travel. The coronavirus crisis forced us to fi nd additional creative ways to begin serving children and their families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities, while practicing social distancing and eliminating or signifi cantly reducing direct participant contact. Rapid Response Teams were formed to provide critical services – delivering food or addressing needs such as serious roof leaks or collapses, burnouts, or critical medical care transportation.

Our participants are already among the most vulnerable of our nation’s most vulnerable. And now the challenges faced by our participants have been magnifi ed, but we are committed to doing all we can to keep this situation from becoming a life-threatening crisis for them.

Our food pantries continue to operate, serving hundreds of individuals trying to manage the challenges of food insecurity. We’ve implemented safety measures that allow staff to deliver food boxes through drive through lines and to the homes of people without transportation. We continue providing food backpacks to be delivered to children, who would normally receive one or two meals at school every day, to ensure that they get that critical food.

Our staff who work with youth have created virtual opportunities to engage with students who are home and are fortunate enough to have online access through a computer or cell phone. Staff are using social media for virtual lessons and tutoring to stay connected with their students. Other staff are checking on participants by phone and providing critical services. CAP’s Family Life Counseling Service continues to meet critical mental health needs of patients virtually, using telemental health services. Our employees and volunteers are amazing and I’m so proud of them!

We are determined to get through this together by trusting God, praying daily for CAP’s mission of building hope, transforming lives, and sharing Christ’s love through service in Appalachia, and by praying for our colleagues, our participants, and our donors. In addition, we stay focused on CAP’s core values: We live Christian principles, serve with compassion, and give our best every day. Let me leave you with a favorite Scripture: “The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 (NIV)

Thanks and blessings,

Hannah Burdette is a caseworker in CAP’s Elderly Services Program. Two of her participants are Betty and Catherine. Betty (right) spends most days in her home alone, isolated from the world, not because of COVID-19, but as her daily reality since her husband passed away some years ago. One of Catherine’s (left) sons lives with her, but she still counts on CAP for assistance which has become more critical with governmental restrictions during this health crisis.

Normally, Hannah would visit, bring necessities, or provide transportation to run errands and keep doctor appointments. But that has been impacted by social distancing.

“Hannah brought my commodities box and my pantry pickup,” Betty said. “If she hadn’t, I would have to do without if they didn’t bring it to my home. If CAP was not able to continue to provide these services it would be hard on me. At least now I have something to eat.”

Rockcastle County School District partners with Grateful Bread Food Pantry to meet community needs

CAP’s Grateful Bread Food Pantry and the Rockcastle County School District have a long-standing partnership. This foundation opened doors to continue to meet the needs of children and their families under the constraints of guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“The partnership between CAP and the school district is making an enormous impact during these critical and uncertain times,” said Sherri Barnett, manager of the pantry. “Together, we’re not only addressing the students’ needs but the entire family. With the donations received to date, over 4,826 pounds of perishable food and dairy products, we are able to provide much-needed items that are currently scarce on grocery store shelves.”

Carrie Ballinger, director of student services for Rockcastle County Schools, agreed. “When we discovered that there was a need for food donations within our community we immediately inventoried our schools and made the needed donations to CAP. This partnership has allowed us to coordinate our resources.”

Many students in Rockcastle County Schools are being raised by their grandparents. Through referrals received by school family resource centers and through the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program, the district is working with CAP to make certain that seniors also have their needs addressed. This partnership is allowing all members of the community to be served during this health emergency.

Until the roof was done

For Janice* and her family, a basic need quickly became an uncertainty when driving rains and wind compromised the safety of her home. The living room and hallway ceiling caved in, creating a dangerous situation for the family who still needed access to their bedrooms and a shared bathroom. Though Jackie had placed towels and buckets to collect water, the floors were badly rotted and the home required new insulation. Plus, the hot water heater fell through the collapsed floors. Jackie is currently living in her home, but the family must shower at her mother’s house until a new water heater is installed.

Repairs were planned for WorkFest, but the crisis led to travel restrictions which stopped the arrival of college students prepared to assist. Recognizing the critical nature of Jackie’s situation, a dedicated crew from CAP’s Housing Program worked to make Jackie’s home safe, warm, and dry.

“Everyone was aware how difficult everything has been in the world, but the CAP team never stopped. They just kept working until the roof was done. I know this gift from CAP came from God,” she said tearfully.