I believe now is a really important time for families who have had the good fortune of remaining financially stable during this COVID-19 outbreak to try and help those families struggling to make ends meet. Many families in our community have lost their ability to provide sufficiently for their families due to being temporarily laid-off because their employers have closed their doors, or they had to stay home from their jobs to look after their children, or maybe they have been in contact with or have unfortunately contracted the virus and are quarantined. Other employees have been granted the opportunity to work from home and in some cases; employers have the financial stability to provide leave with pay but I suspect these situations are few.
It appears both our federal and provincial governments have stepped up and are providing assistance to many of our neighbors in need, but when that financial assistance will be provided and how much of their ‘basic’ needs will be covered is unclear for most of the families. I am hearing that many families are doubtful that they will be able to pay their rent, or their utility bills, or even provide adequate food each month. We have also heard that our food bank is handing out more and more hampers each week and that supplies are being depleted very quickly. What I don’t think is well-known is that our St. Albert Community Village and Food Bank has what is called a ‘Bridge Fund,’ which is an emergency fund that is used by our social workers to identify and distribute funds to families in need for services other than food but including additional food supplies where needed. Donations of any additional monies for the next three or four months while this virus lasts could make a huge difference to many of these unfortunate families trying to pay necessary expenses to keep their families safe and healthy.
My wife and I are seniors on a moderate fixed income but we believe we could manage to find two or three or maybe even four hundred dollars each month to provide the little extra needed to get these families through this difficult time. We also believe there are other families in St. Albert who would be willing to provide similar support. Cheques can be made out to: St. Albert Community Village, #30-50 Bellerose Drive, St. Albert, AB, T8N 3L5 (in the memo section include Bridge Fund).
These donations are intended as only a stop-gap proposal to help valued members of our community get through this very difficult time.
Ken McMorris, St. Albert
