Helping families in need
When Scott McFarland heard about the school closures resulting from the government’s attempt to halt the spread of coronavirus, he did what he knew best. He started planning ways for people to spring into service.
McFarland is on the Springfield District 186 school board and he’s the executive director for Serve Illinois, a governor-appointed board that focuses on volunteerism. But when he started the Facebook group, Springfield Families Helping Families, he did so on his own volition, knowing people would need help.
“From my experience of volunteerism, I know that when issues like this arise, when you can get people talking to each other and organizing, it makes things move a lot quicker and easier,” he said.
As of Tuesday morning, the group was nearing 7,000 members and was steadily growing since its inception late last week. It’s been organized into “units” so those in need can search by topic, and those who are able can pitch in where it’s needed. Topics range from the bare necessities – food and diapers – to how all of us facing a new reality can cope, like online resources to help educate kids.
McFarland said examples include people in good health picking up food and supplies for those who are homebound due to their age or a preexisting condition. He said he regularly updates the group about the latest CDC guidelines, as some posts are about things involving contact, like child care.
For those who are struggling to make do with food supplies but don’t want to reach out online, they can pick up food from “micro-pantries,” including one downtown at 422 S. Fifth Street. McFarland said when he went to check it out Monday night, it was “plumb full, to the point where you couldn’t put anything in there if you wanted to.” The pantries are part of a project out of Joliet. They can include not only nonperishable food, but other items, like sanitary products and books.
During a press briefing Monday, Gov. JB Pritzker thanked those in Springfield for their shared generosity with the pantries. He also gave a shout-out to McAlister’s Deli, a chain restaurant with a location in Springfield, which has offered free lunches to kids. “If you are concerned about ensuring your children have a hearty lunch, stop by McAlister’s Deli from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. Every kid can receive a free sack lunch,” the company wrote in a Facebook post Saturday, after school closures had been announced.
McFarland said he has been heartened by the response so far – in these few days where so much has changed for so many. “It just continues to astound me that when the times get tough and people are in need, somebody is always willing to step up,” he said.
Contact Rachel Otwell at rotwell@illinoistimes.com and follow her on Twitter: @MsOtwell.
