Community workers in Eden Valley have received an overwhelming response since putting out a plea for food and supplies as the community protects itself from COVID-19.
Organizations across the Foothills stepped up to provide the First Nations community west of Longview with food, hygiene items and baby supplies to take pressure off those who are living in poverty, have no transportation and are caring for children and the elderly.
The Okotoks Food Bank supplied about 500 pounds of goods to the community from March 22 to 28, and another 800 pounds the following week, said Okotoks Food Bank executive director Pamela McLean.
“We have become a central repository for anyone who wants to donate to the Eden Valley cause,” said McLean. “We have a separate shopping cart that has been designated for Eden Valley.”
Christina Taylor, who spearheaded A Frozen Meal or Two in Turner Valley eight years ago to provide home-cooked meals to Foothills residents facing crisis situations, donated 30 meals to Eden Valley and will cook up more Wednesday.
Taylor said she was contacted by Eden Valley early intervention co-ordinator Michele Edwards at the end of March requesting help.
“Anytime time we hear about someone who is hungry we help out, it’s just as simple as that,” said Taylor.
Turner Valley Mayor Barry Crane has been transporting food from both organizations to Eden Valley.
“I go out there for work on a part-time basis so I’ve been filling up my truck every run,” he said, adding he goes two to three times a week. “Community support has come from all directions in the surrounding communities”
Among items donated were diapers, wipes, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, food and water. Crane said the supplies are stored and quarantined at Chief Jacob Bearspaw School before they’re distributed to those in need.
“It’s been two weeks that I’ve volunteered my vehicle to help with deliveries,” he said. “I don’t mind doing my part to help my neighbours.”
Okotoks United Church Minister Julia Kimmett said the church board put money aside to help out with baby supplies and food, but is worried about purchasing supplies in abundance.
“We can’t walk into Costco and buy $1,000 worth of food and diapers because they’re limiting everything,” she said. “We will get what we can out there. We certainly want to help and have already got someone who has collected quite a few baby clothes.”
Eden Valley Band Chief Darcy Dixon said he’s appreciative of the support his community has received during these tough times.
“The donations and the support from all of our neighbouring communities has been fantastic,” he said. “We are very thankful to our neighbours. They have given us non-perishable goods, supplies for children and babies – there’s just been an assortment of stuff that the communities have gone out of their way to give.”
Dixon said the band council and leaders in Eden Valley have been working with the Emergency Response Centre in Morley to keep the community as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For instance, trained security personnel are stationed at the entrance of the community refusing entry to visitors, ensuring those leaving to go shopping are doing so as individuals or in small groups and that everyone who leaves and enters the community is free of COVID-19 symptoms.
“Even our essential service people like doctors and nurses are asked these questions,” he said. “These are the steps they have to take in order to be safe going out and coming back in. The number of people leaving town has reduced.”
Only essential services are being performed in the community, said Dixon. The school, community centre and other offices are closed.
“All of the offices are basically shut down, just the essential services and administration is up and running,” he said. “We have people with health issues so we’re just trying to maintain our essential services.”
While nobody in Eden Valley has been diagnosed with COVID-19, Dixon said a plan is underway to have testing at the fire hall.
To make a donation or learn which items are needed in Eden Valley visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/244217603286115/ or email [email protected]
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With files from Bruce Campbell
