By David Haerle
The Daily World
Coronavirus safety kits are being distributed free today in the North Beach through the Hunger Action Team of Chapel by the Sea Presbyterian Church in Ocean Shores. The kits include face masks, hand sanitizer and information sheet with emergency and food resources.
Coordinating with Clint Davis, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) coordinator for the North Beach, Phyllis Shaughnessy, founder of Green Lantern Lunch Program (GLLP), and Cindy Stearns from CBTS, HAT partners, a coronavirus safety kit has been created, delivered to the doorstep.
Beginning in June, kits were distributed to those who requested, primarily in the North Beach from Moclips to Copalis Beach.
This is the fourth monthly distribution of the kits, according to Stearns, with more planned for the future if money can be raised to support the programs involved. The kits are delivered to those that request them by volunteers through no-contact methods.
“Tomorrow we will deliver about 50,” Stearns said Friday morning. “We have 104 total, but about half of those will go to the Pacific Beach and Copalis Beach food banks for distribution.”
“There were 24 kits assembled and 25 requests for the initial kit,” Clint Davis said. “People in the North Beach were very appreciative of having these delivered directly to their door.”
July distribution increased to 35. In August, there were 50 kits delivered. Ocean Shores Cares added to the non-profits assisting providing delivery into Ocean Shores.
More need for Coronavirus Safety Kits for all ages continues to grow, according to Stearns, and all the groups involved are seeking any and all donations, as the need for safety kits and food will continue to grow in the fall and toward the holidays, especially as the pandemic hangs on.
“There was no budget for this,” Stearns said of the effort to distribute the kits. “Nobody knew when we set up budgets for all these groups that there would be Covid-19. And the odds are that people are going to be staying home of a while longer”
“We have a need presented for more than 300 children for kits. If an angel will come forward, H.A.T. has the ability to purchase masks made in Grays Harbor for a special price,” Stearns added.
With financial contributions, even more will be distributed.
If you would like a safety kit, call 360-589-7751.
If you would like to donate or volunteer with H.A.T., please check online: chapelbytheseawa.org. Donations may also be mailed to: Chapel by the Sea Presbyterian Church USA, P.O. Box 194, Pacific Beach, WA 98571 (Donations mailed and online are to: CBTS, note or memo, HAT-Kit.)
