Due to the global coronavirus pandemic, Wellspring’s Resource Center is unable to welcome people as it once did. On Thursday, Mar. 12, Wellspring of Greenbrier, Inc. closed the Resource Center after a full week of food distribution, the Annual Children’s Spring/Summer Clothing Event, and fulfilling the multiple daily requests from clients. The realization that this was to be the last normal day of operation for the foreseeable future has been difficult to grasp. Every program is now being reexamined and new approaches to serving those in need have been quickly devised.
Weekly food distribution is the priority. The Bread & Soup Express, etc. has evolved from three days a week of pre-cooked packaged meals to a once a week distribution at the large bay door on the side of the building. On Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 to 2 p.m., an awning, tables, and signage are set up for recipients to receive at least one pre-cooked packaged meal in addition to enough non-perishable food for at least two additional days.
Non-perishable food bags/boxes are custom packed for the family size and needs. Wednesdays have also become the day to fulfill requests for hygiene products, household goods, clothing, cleaning products, information, and other items (all dependent upon availability). A mask and/or face covering is required when picking up food and other items. Hand sanitizers are supplied. To better serve the Meadow River Valley, Wellspring recently became part of the Mountaineer Food Bank network.
On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wellspring’s Office is open. During office hours, management will be onsite to handle paperwork, grant work, food prep, cleaning, phone calls, emails, website contacts, and other tasks.
While face to face meetings have been put on hold, people are encouraged to contact Wellspring via telephone, the website, and/or email for assistance with utility bills, homelessness, laundry and other needs which cannot be met during Wednesday distribution hours.
Many services have been adapted to meet the needs of the people while maintaining safety measures. A partition was built to enclose the laundry area, and laundry has become a by appointment only service, available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Unfortunately, not all programs are currently feasible. The Home Improvement program, which relies heavily on volunteer work teams, has been postponed, and the bathrooms and shower are temporarily unavailable for public use.
As the pandemic persists across our state, nation, and globe, Wellspring of Greenbrier, Inc. will continue to monitor the situation and adapt as needed. The pandemic has only increased the need for food and assistance within Greenbrier County and as the number of cases continue to rise, so will the need.
Wellspring of Greenbrier, Inc. can be reached at 304-392-2095, by email at wellspring@suddenlinkmail.com, or through their website at wellspringofgreenbrier.com.