Surviving the Covid-19 epidemic

Many of us are staying at home, washing our hands, eating healthy foods and hoping that the Covid-19 epidemic will be eased by our actions. Those of us who have jobs that require us to meet our fellow workers or the public are hoping for the best.

Here are some things you may need to know during the next days or weeks:

The Northern Regional Center is a food distribution site. In response to the closure of schools through at least March 27, the Northern Regional Center at 350 East Holding Avenue, is now a food distribution site for Wake County families.

Until school resumes, area families may pick up food at the Northern Regional Center for students ages 18 and under Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Placed in safe and sanitized food containers, the food will be distributed by volunteers at curbside to minimize safety concerns.

Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry now has a drive-thru operation and does not require client signatures. Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry at 149 East Holding Avenue is now open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday and every third Saturday for food distribution. You can drive through the line and receive your food from volunteers without signing. The ministry already serves about 750 families in Wake Forest, Youngsville, Rolesville and their surrounding areas and now can serve people in other neighboring counties. Call 919-556-7144 for information about receiving food, volunteering and donations.

Go to http://triareaministry.com/donate to donate money or food. You can drop off food donations at Christian Brothers Automotive, McPherson Family Eye Care, Granite Falls Swim and Athletic Club, Lowes Foods or Fidelity Bank at either Wake Forest location.

You can also click HERE to order online from Tri-Area’s Amazon wishlist.

How to help and/or volunteer. The Wake County Public School System is asking that you take any food donations to the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle (1001 Blair Drive in Raleigh, NC 27603 and use the same address for donations of money) or the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC (1924 Capital Boulevard, Raleigh, NC 27604) You can donate to the Food Bank by going to its website, https://foodbandcenc.org or at the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle at www.foodshuttle.org.

Please donate canned or shelf stable food as some recipients will have limited or no refrigeration. There is always a need for hygiene items and pet food.

Both organizations need volunteers who can work in a social-distancing environment.

Postponed. The Rise Against Hunger meal-packing event to be held on Saturday, March 28, has been postponed until late spring.

New Food Drive. The Wake Forest United Methodist Church on South Main Street has set up an always-open drive-through food drive behind its Family Life Center with all food donated to Tri-Area Ministry.

Dinners and food distribution. Hope House at 334 North Allen Road will continue to provide free nutritious and filling dinners at 6 p.m. every day except Saturday. It also distributes food from the Food Bank of Eastern and Central NC every Thursday at 1 p.m. Typically there will be vegetables, fruits, salad packages and bread as well as occasionally there will be meat, eggs, fruit juice and milk. For more information call Norma Bennekin at 919-263-1007.