April 2, 2020 Contact: media@apphealth.com
Sparta, NC – The NC Department of Health and Human Services, AppHealthCare and local agencies are urging people to cooperate with Governor Cooper’s Executive Order to stay home except for essential trips, practice social distancing and good hygiene like handwashing and covering your cough or sneeze. It is critical to keep in mind that during this challenging time of responding to the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) public health crisis, following the guidance to stay home as much as possible is the most important mitigation measure the community can take. This situation is affecting each person in our community in different ways, and we are all experiencing disruptions to our normal schedule.
There are ways you can help your fellow community members from afar and while practicing social distancing. The following list includes resources, donation and volunteer needs in Alleghany County but this list is certainly not inclusive of all needs. We know as this situation changes in our community, the needs will also change. There are many ways you can help our community during this time.
Donation Needs:
- Alleghany Health: Donate the following supplies: Medical grade surgical and procedure masks; N95 respirator masks; Face Shields; Gloves; Gowns; Hand sanitizer. You can drop these items off at the Emergency Department Entrance at the hospital.
- High Country United Way: Donate to High Country United Way’s local relief fund that will go towards providing community members with critical information and services like food, financial assistance, and more. You can donate
- Solid Rock Food Pantry: In need of food or monetary donations. To donate, call ahead at (336)372-6560.
- “Blessing Boxes:” Items for boxes can be dropped off at the Farmer’s Market pavilion and the Sparta Fire Department. These boxes can include food, household items, and school or craft supplies.
- Grace Kitchen: Provides free meals to the community every Wednesday with drive by or pickup options. Grace Kitchen is seeking donations in order to increase the amount of food they can serve, the quality of food, and the use of eco-friendly take out containers. Call (336) 372-4441 for more information.
- Alleghany County Group Homes: Donate craft supplies or games that residents with developmental disabilities can enjoy at home. Drop off at 133 Health Services Rd, Sparta, NC.
- Local Businesses: Consider sponsoring breakfast, lunch, or dinner for frontline staff during this time. Purchase gift cards or take-out meals from local businesses.
- Healthcare Workers: If you are a health care worker and want to volunteer for COVID-19 response you can sign up through NC TERMS at: https://terms.ncem.org/TRS/. For help with registering, please call (336) 372-5641 or email preparedness@apphealth.com and give your name, expertise/credentials, and a call back number.
- AppHealthCare (Appalachian District Health Department) – Email preparedness@apphealth.comto inquire about volunteering.
- Glade Creek School: Free lunch is being provided for children ages 0-18 years old from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. each weekday at the cafeteria side entrance. You will receive lunch and a bag with breakfast items. Please stay in your vehicle and the meals will be brought out to you. We are also offering meal delivery service. If you would like to arrange for meal delivery call the cafeteria at 336-657-3015.
- Piney Creek School: Free meals are provided for children ages 0-18. The car rider line will be open from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. for meal pick-up every weekday. Please stay in your vehicle and the meals will be brought out to you. Meal delivery will be available by bus. Should your child need a meal delivered, please call the school at 336-359-2988 to be added to the route.
- Sparta School: Free meals are offered through pick-up at the back of the school and through delivery. Please call the school at 336-372-8546 to be added to the delivery list. Breakfast and lunch meals are free for all children 0-18 years. If you have requested food delivery, please be ready to come to the bus to receive your food, as drivers are not allowed to leave the bus.
- Alleghany High School: Children ages 0-18 may receive breakfast and lunch. Meals will be distributed in the circle in front of AHS between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. If you are a student who lives in an outlying area and it would be more convenient to go to Glade Creek or Piney Creek School, you may go to those pick-up points instead. If you are unable to pick up meals, please call 336-372-4554 to schedule delivery.
For more information on COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), please visit the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) website at cdc.gov/coronavirus. North Carolina resources can be found on the Division of Public Health website at ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus.
A COVID-19 toll free helpline has been set up to answer general, non-emergent questions at 1-866-462-3821. To submit questions online, go to www.ncpoisoncontrol.org and select “chat.”
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