COCHRANE— Rising to the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic The Cochrane Activettes have rallied together to ensure vulnerable community members have food security.
"It has been challenging but that's what the Activettes are good at," president Jan Tracy said. "It's lucky that we have an amazing community that works with us and for us and supports us so well."
It has been incredible seeing the community rally together to support each other during the crisis, Tracy said. She added the monetary and food donations the organization has received will enable them to continue to provide food for those in need during the COVID-19 crisis.
"We get so many people calling us asking us if they can help us in any way," she said. "The way everyone is supporting everyone else around the community is really nice to see— It's really heartwarming.”
The Activettes have many initiatives designed to support the community, she said, but the focus right now is on their food bank.
"We have to reinvent everything," she said. "We want to help as much as we can."
The non-profit has partnered with Cochrane Family and Community Support Services to ensure people in need can receive food hampers.
The Activettes has been working closely with the organization to connect with vulnerable community members who need help with food security during the pandemic and develop iniatives that will support the community members during the pandemic.
There are around 55 Activettes members, including some who are immune-compromised, Tracy said, but all are dedicated and working to provide in any way they can.
"This is what Activette's excel at," Tracy said.
The food bank has been closed to the public, but the Activettes have a team of drivers that can take food directly to people's homes, Tracy said.
The Activettes provide support as far north as Cremona, south to Bragg Creek, west to the Stoney Nakoda First Nation boundary and east to the Calgary city limit.
The Activettes are grateful for the donations they receive, she said, because now more then ever it is difficult for people to give during the pandemic.
Tracy highlighted the amazing food drive held at the Cochrane Movie House at the end of March that generated literal trucks of meals, a generous donation of food from Safeway and a donation of diapers from country music star Paul Brandt that have supported the non-profit.
However, Tracy said her greatest concern at the moment is that the Activettes are not reaching everyone in need.
The organization provides assistant to anyone who needs help with food security, she said, adding that this includes those who cannot go to the grocery store due to COVID-19.
"We want to help everyone in the community," Tracy said. "It's for whatever reason you cannot get food."
She added that they are especially concerned about children in the community because some rely on school for meals and this may no longer be possible as schools have been closed due to the pandemic. The Activettes are working with Rocky View Schools and the Boy and Girls Club to ensure students food needs are met.
Tracy said she is grateful for people that have reached out to volunteer with the Activettes. She added that the public health measures that have been put in place, including restrictions on groups and social distancing, can make it difficult to physically volunteer with the organization.
"If there is anything that we come across that there is a job they can do we will be calling them," Tracy said.
For those in need of a food hamper Cochrane Family and Community Support Services can be reached at 403-851-2250.
To donate food to the Activettes The Clothesline is taking food drop-offs from Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Food can also be donated at grocery stores.
