Locally, it has been difficult to find any ‘collective’ ways our club members can help, except to ‘stay out of trouble, and stay in our bubbles’.We have approached the Salvation Army to offer any assistance with their Food Parcel service. Sadly, they advised they cannot accept outside volunteer help due to their need for Police Vetting of all volunteers (either by them or the volunteer organization) and due to the Isolation rules.
We have continued to touch base with Citizens Advice Bureau (Remuera via our member Jan Hogg) and Glen Innes via Patsy. They know we are only a phone call away.
Meanwhile, many of us are quietly assisting neighbours, friends and family with grocery shopping, online ordering, keeping in touch, etc. If you have any ideas on where (as a club) we can look to move into helpful action once we are out of lockdown, please let directors know.
The Rotary Foundation have emailed all Rotarians about COVID-19 and how we can help by applying for Disaster Response Grants (which have been boosted from $1 million to $3 million). To make a donation to the Disaster Response Fund, click this link: making a gift to the Disaster Response Fund