GEDCO Being Honored by Habitat Chesapeake – July 17
2020 Annual Meeting Highlights – June 15
During the COVID-19 pandemic, GEDCO’s services are needed more than ever
Here is how GEDCO is providing compassionate support and critical services during the crisis:
– Volunteers are preparing and delivering bags of non-perishable foods every week to 280 residents of Stadium Place, Epiphany House, and Gallagher Mansion.
– More than 95 older adults are eating at our daily Eating Together program – a 150% increase since March.
– More than 750 people are visiting the CARES Food Pantry each month for perishable and non-perishable groceries – a 45% increase since the virus outbreak and now available twice a month rather than once a month.
– CARES Career Connection is assisting 20 people a week with their job search via phone.
– GEDCO staff is making personal calls every day to 80 older adult residents to make sure they are safe and determining if they have any immediate needs, such as food or medication.
– GEDCO is providing mental health, addiction prevention, and stress reduction assistance to 59 residents of Homeless Services at Harford and Micah House.
– More than 150 older adults are participating in weekly virtual activities (such as line dancing, gentle yoga, knitting, and Tai Chi) led by GEDCO’s Senior Network of North Baltimore
More than ever, we need your support. As you look for ways that you can help those in need, please consider supporting GEDCO’s work. Click here for more information: https://gedco.org/2020springappeal/
GEDCO CARES and COVID-19
Modified COVID-19 Procedures
March 13, 2020
Until further notice, CARES programs will be limiting operations to keep participants, staff and volunteers safe during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The following new procedures will start immediately to ensure the health and safety of our community.
ACCESS to the CARES office will be limited to staff and key volunteers.
Food Distribution: The food pantry will be open normal hours, Mondays and Thursdays, 9:00am—11:00am, and Saturdays, 10:00am—noon, but participants will stay outside and be given prepacked food bags. We will put chairs outside for participants who cannot stand while waiting, but the wait time should not be long.
Volunteers and staff will be required to wash their hands every 15 minutes. We will sanitize all surfaces that we touch with disinfecting wipes every hour.
Financial Assistance: Eviction prevention, prescription, and miscellaneous financial assistance are suspended. Fuel Fund assistance will continue by email and phone. We will honor all outstanding promissory notes for rent, but not start any new cases. Volunteers who work on Fuel Fund cases can do so at CARES or from home. To apply for Fuel Fund assistance, go to fuelfundmaryland.org or , if you don’t have access to email, call CARES at 410-532-7117.
Job Search Assistance: In person job search assistance is suspended. Staff will continue to help by phone and email as much as possible. 410-532-7117.
Volunteers who feel sick should stay home and not come into the CARES office. Volunteers who are in high risk categories (underlying health conditions, smokers, over 60 years of age) are encouraged to stay home, and should let Rachael know what their plans are.
Thank you for your patience during this trying time.