Programs / 20200321
COVID-19
Our Response
As COVID-19 continues to make it challenging for NECHAMA and many others to do our “normal” work, we adjusted our focus to address the community needs of this pandemic in our home base of the Twin Cities in MN. While it wasn’t muck and guts or chainsaw teams, we are committed to continuing our mission of bringing comfort to those affected by disaster.
As our ability to respond to disasters out of state diminished early in the pandemic due to the increase in cases and shelter-in-place orders, we worked to ensure continuity of services and maintain staff levels because disasters don’t self-quarantine. We assisted in distribution of PPE, food, and supplies; delivered enrichment kits and assisted with efforts at the state’s Emergency Operations Center and with the COVID Taskforce.
Our Projects
PPE Distribution Project
NECHAMA donated over 4,000 items of PPE from our warehouse to local medical centers, a local collection site, and Shalom House assisted living.
Life Enrichment Kit Project
Working with our Partners Presbyterian Homes and Services we delivered Life Enrichment Kits provided by PH&S to numerous assisted living facilities.
- 27 facilities in Minnesota.
- 12 facilities in Wisconsin and Iowa.
Food & Supply Distribution Project
In partnership with state EOC (Emergency Operations Center) and local partners, we transported goods and bulk food deliveries to vulnerable populations.
- Delivered 6 pallets to four undisclosed locations in Minnesota, housing at risk and COVID positive residents.
Another 3 pallets were delivered to White Earth Reservation in Mahnomen, Minnesota.
Other Work
In addition to providing necessary transportation of goods, the NECHAMA Operations team has been active on COVID focused calls with Minnesota and National VOAD (Volunteers Active in Disaster) and the COVID Taskforce. We collaborated with the Harvard Hillel to help them organize volunteers and their system of tracking services and needs requests. Our Operations team also designed a virtual VRC (Volunteer Resource Center) mockup to track the needs, services, and inventory management for organizations that are requesting this assistance. Again we partnered with Footprint Project to integrate a Solar Energy Tent for either mobile testing or to assist with a local homeless population affected by COVID. The NECHAMA Operations team has been tirelessly networking and offering our disaster expertise in these new times.
Updates
COVID Response Update
COVID Response Update: Over the past month, we have been partnering with local organizations to help sort food for delivery to local Native American communities. This week, we were delivered... Read More
Food Deliveries
On Monday, in coordination with local partners, NECHAMA assisted in delivering food to 10 shelters around the greater Twin Cities area. We are honored to continue to serve our community... Read More
Out of State Deliveries
We are continuing our travels to deliver Life Enrichment Survival Kits from Presbyterian Homes & Services to their senior living facilities in Wisconsin and Iowa. Please consider a donation to... Read More
© 2020 NECHAMA - Jewish Response to Disaster, Registered 501(c)3