FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2020

The Rotary Club of Gravenhurst is concerned about the impact of Covid 19 on our community. Every one of us has been affected by the virus. However, life is more difficult for some residents of our town than for others. For those who find themselves challenged to put food on the table, it’s especially hard.

For that reason, our Rotary Club is announcing two new funding initiatives to help those in need as a result of Covid 19.

The first is a fund set up through Gravenhurst Caretagion 2020. Caretagion is a new group of volunteers created to run errands for people who are self-isolating or in quarantine.  If you need help picking up groceries or prescriptions, or you have other urgent delivery needs, call (705) 710-4542. Through its partnership with Rotary, Caretagion volunteers will ensure that you can get what you need.

The second is a donation to Gravenhurst Against Poverty (G.A.P.) of gift cards for local grocery stores. G.A.P. is a collaborative community-based organization which supports people in difficulty by identifying issues and resources and providing timely solutions.

One of those solutions is the Supper Club, a free community dinner held weekly at Trinity United Church, 290 Muskoka Road N. Gravenhurst. Grocery cards will be available at the Supper Club starting tonight (April 2^nd) between 4:00 and 5:30. If you need financial support to feed your family and you can’t get to the church, please email info.gravenhurstagainstpoverty@gmail.com. People who are already on G.A.P.’s delivery list will get cards with this week’s hot meal and grocery delivery.

Although our resources are limited, Rotary will make every effort to have gift cards available for as long as the situation requires. We’ve committed $20,000 for this purpose. We are also working with other service clubs, the District of Muskoka and the Town of Gravenhurst to develop a coordinated, longer-term response to this emergency.

If you expect that you’ll need longer-term support as the result of Covid 19, please contact Samantha Hastings at the District of Muskoka at (705) 645-2412, or by email at samantha.hastings@muskoka.on.ca

The Rotary Club of Gravenhurst believes that no one in our town should go hungry – ever, but especially at a time like this. If you’re able to support us in our relief efforts, please donate:

By Etransfer:  treasurer@gravenhurstrotary.com answer to security question: rotary

By Cheque: Mail to Rotary Club of Gravenhurst P.O. Box 888, Gravenhurst ON P1P1V2

To receive a charitable receipt, please provide your full name, email, address, and tel. no.

MaryAnne Marshall

President, Rotary Club of Gravenhurst