This week our nation began a challenging battle with the COVID-19 outbreak. We want to encourage our neighbors to be mindful and seriously consider the advice from the professionals at the CDC and SC DHEC.
Greer Relief is committed to continuing our services, but with minor changes to hopefully reduce the spread of the virus. If there is a future change, we will provide timely notification through our social media, website, and to those directly impacted. We will also stagger appointments to minimize contact, and take additional steps to minimize contact as needed.
We are encouraged by the state utility companies who are following the governor’s request to suspend disconnections and the two largest utility companies, Duke Energy & Piedmont Natural Gas, who are also suspending late fees. We hope others will follow their lead. We are also proud of our school districts who are setting up a way to continue to feed our students, click here for sites: Greenville Co. & Spartanburg District 5.
Any employee or volunteer who isn’t feeling well, will be asked to stay home. If we have a team shortage, please be patient with us. We will take care of you as best we can. Volunteers are an integral part of our service team and will be contacted with additional information regarding our precautions and their service.
The situation is changing daily and we will make appropriate decisions and updates as needed. We are enhancing our procedures for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces throughout the J. Verne Smith Center.
What you can do:
Please follow closely the common sense guidelines for preventing the spread of this virus: clean hands often and thoroughly, avoid close contact with those who are sick, cover your cough or sneeze, and please stay home if you feel sick.
Please pray for the many people worldwide who are affected by this outbreak, and for healthcare providers throughout the world who are responding to this need.
Take care of your own health and to the needs of those around us. Please check on your neighbors and continue to be kind during this time of crisis and challenges. We ask those who support us to continue to think about our many neighbors in need who are still struggling during this trying time. Our working poor have greater challenges now and may see additional hardships from this situation.
May God bless our community through this challenge with deeper care and faith.
Grateful in Service,
Caroline T. Robertson, Executive Director
Update: Many of you have asked how to help. We are in need of food for the pantry and donations to help with our neighbors who are or will be out of work. Donations to Greer Relief can be made securely through our website at www.greerrelief.org.