The Cochrane Activities are taking action to assist those dealing with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yesterday, the service organization released a statement addressing adjustments made to their food hamper program, and are urging people to donate nonperishable food, personal care items, and cleaning supplies as well as cash donations. 

The Activettes have extended its hamper program to include anyone vulnerable or in desperate need of food and no means to get it. 

To make this possible, they have pared back their normal hampers to ones that are designed to last 3 to 5 days.

Hampers will no longer be picked up at our facility but instead will be delivered by volunteer drivers from the community starting Mar. 20. The driver will call upon arrival, and leave the hamper outside the door.

Yesterday, Helping Hands announced the postponement of its annual spring food drive that has been key in helping keep the shelves of the food bank full.

"The food drive attracts 800 community volunteers, and supplies 50 per cent of the food bank shelves," the announcement states. "As always, the health and safety of our volunteers, clients, partners and the communities of Cochrane and Area and Western Rocky View are of the utmost importance."

"The needs of the Food Bank continues to grow with the current situation, and food and cash donations continue to be needed to ensure help for those in isolation, seniors, single parent and regular families, ill or injured or disabled and newcomers," it continues. "We will continue to assist as we link 'Volunteers who Help with People who need Help'."

Due to increased risk factors, the Activettes have closed the Clothesline to the public. Instead, it's being used as a drop-off point for any donations.

Items that will be required are nonperishable food items, personal care items and cleaning products.

Cash donations are also welcome. They are being accepted through their website (cochraneactivettes.com), at all the local banks or mailed to Cochrane Activettes, Box 535, Cochrane AB., T4C 1A7.

The Clothesline address is #3 122-4 Ave. Donations can be left outside the door between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday. As an alternative, food items can still be dropped off at the three grocery stores as well.

Those in need are asked to call FCSS at 403-851-2250.

"We are a strong community and are in a good position to weather this," state the Activettes. "Let’s do this together."