Webinar: Community Needs Due To COVID-19 – April 16, 2020
On April 16, 2020 the Think About Energy Briefing held its second webinar of the month, with today’s segment focused on highlighting several leading non-profit and community organizations across the Commonwealth. These organizations discussed the increase demand for their services due to COVID-19.
“Our briefings are about raising awareness and expanding the discussion around energy development,” said moderator George Stark of Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation. Stark continued, “Our goal today is the same: to raise awareness and help drive resources so these organizations can continue to support our neighbors during these difficult times.”
Jane Clements-Smith kicked off the discussion highlighting the impact Feeding Pennsylvania has felt as a result of the pandemic. “Food access is our number one issue right now. Panic buying has caused shortages and made it harder to receive donations or even purchase food for many families,” said Clements-Smith who acts as Executive Director for the program.
Joe Arthur, Executive Director of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, explained how his organization has had to adapt due to social distancing orders. “We needed a lot more space, so we set up a large, off-site central packing operation because we learned, early on, that we couldn’t fill the amount of crisis response boxes and also keep all our workers safe in our two hubs, Harrisburg and Williamsport.” Arthur went on to explain how demand for food delivery has already increased by over 50% from last month.
Gene Brady is Executive Director at the Commission on Economic Opportunity/Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank. Brady illustrated creative partnerships his organization is undertaking. “We are partnering with the dairy industry to help deliver milk and other dairy products to the needy in our region,” said Brady. Due to shelter-in-place orders, school-age children may have difficulty accessing meals through their schools. Brady said through support of the local school districts they are still able to provide meals to those in need.
While schools and most businesses are closed due to the pandemic, there are still many opportunities to help the community. Cristine Clayton, who serves as the Executive Director of Commonwealth Charitable Management, discussed the positive benefits of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program. “The EITC program is a way businesses can give back to the communities in which they operate,” said Clayton. “The educational needs are expected to be felt long after this pandemic is over,” concluded Clayton.
Josh Whiteside, Executive Director of The Educational Partnership based in southwestern Pennsylvania, discussed the importance of ongoing support for education. “As we have heard of budget deficits in the billions of dollars for the Commonwealth, we can’t let education funding be a casualty of COVID-19,” Whiteside said. “Let your legislators know that education must be a priority in the upcoming budget.”
The Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania was represented by Executive Director Lisa Hannum. “The stress created as a result of stay at home orders, businesses closings and social distancing orders only make matters worse in a home that has domestic violence,” said Hannum. It is critical that services for those who may be victims of domestic violence not be overlooked.
George Stark of Cabot Oil and Gas concluded the program with a plea to the audience. “I am asking each attendee to please send this to two people. That is it. Use your network to help spread the word on how we can help these organizations, and others like it, to continue to do the great work that they do.”
For more on today’s Think About Energy Briefing, including ways to support these organizations, please visit https://www.thinkaboutbriefing.com/covid-19-response.