We can be heroes if just for one day…
We can be heroes forever and ever What’d you say? — David Bowie
By Scott D. Johnston
For the Grays Harbor News Group
As a community with a large proportion of seniors and retirees, Ocean Shores has a lot of people who consider themselves to be at high risk from the COVID-19 pandemic. For those who are self-quarantining, a pair of local nonprofits are combining to help with a free delivery service for meals and other foodstuffs and necessities.
Ocean Shores Cares (OSC), which was started last fall, will do pickup and delivery of meals ordered from any restaurant and orders sent to food stores in the city. And the North Beach Senior Center, now closed to the public, is expanding a plan to cook and freeze meals, which OSC would then distribute.
Kevin and Diana Schneeloch moved to Ocean Shores last year and promptly launched Ocean Shores Cares, as a people helping people Facebook group, now a registered nonprofit. With more thanr 600 members, the group has done a wide variety of helping projects, almost all for individuals in the community.
On March 13, Kevin announced, “I am shutting down all jobs on here for right now. …The only thing I will be doing is picking up and dropping off essential items for our elderly and high-risk residents. … Remember porch deliveries is what we should be doing. I will be wearing gloves and using Purell also. … staying safe is the most important.”
The North Beach Senior Center had already canceled a St. Patrick’s dinner and live music, then closed both the center and its thrift store over the weekend. When the local Eagles and Elks kitchens also closed, those groups brought fresh produce and other perishables to the Senior Center, something the Eagles have done in the past.
Senior Center Director Jeff Moyer then got in touch with the Schneelochs, who spent most of the day Monday delivering bags of fresh food throughout Ocean Shores.
Moyer and some center volunteers have also been busy cooking and freezing meals for a dozen or so “regulars” who otherwise would be struggling to find prepared meals. They are currently creating a plan to prep and freeze meals, maybe two days weekly, at least as long as their funding allows, a problem since the thrift store is closed.
The Schneelochs said they have several volunteer delivery drivers available and are offering the free delivery service to any businesses or individuals who can use it to help those who are trying to hunker down and stay at home during the crisis, and for those staying home who need help getting food and necessities.
“Nothing is out of bounds for us,” Kevin said. “Any time we can help, we’re going to make it happen.” He can be reached directly at 714-478-8856 or through the Facebook group, Ocean Shores Cares.
Moyer would also like to hear from anyone who wants to help, especially those who can donate food and money. “We’re trying to figure out how our elderly population won’t have to go out and can still get fed and taken care of,” he said.
“Our food program costs more than it brings in. The thrift store is our funding and it’s now closed. We have about a one- or two-month reserve. Then what?” Moyer can be reached at 530-736-0474.
