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Volunteer efforts expand due to virus
TRULY MARTIN
A couple of Dyer County residents have started an online effort to support at-risk community members and local businesses amid the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Dyer County Volunteers was founded when two masonic lodge brothers noticed a need for resources and created a community Facebook page, according to co-organizer Mike Lamb. In three weeks, it has grown into a Facebook group with nearly 1,500 members and its leaders plan to utilize meal donations from local restaurants to feed families in need.
“The idea was to do what we could, but also have everybody in the community to get outside their box to see what was needed,” said Lamb. “Some people seem to get the impression this is an organization that fills needs, that is not the case. We are individuals who are doing what they can.”
Not their first time being volunteers, Lamb and co-organizer Tommy Criswell created the group after witnessing the impact of COVID-19 around the time of the lockdown. Volunteers in the program assist community members with grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions, online ordering and other needs. Many of those who need assistance are elderly people who have a high risk of respiratory complications.
Organizers say they plan to feed hungry community members with meals from Bad Bob’s, The Farmhouse Kitchen and Coby Jo’s Diner.
This week, Lock’s Store has agreed to prepare 50 spaghetti dinners for volunteers to help.
“All of these are going to be priced at $4 per person or $16 for each prepared dinner package,” said Lamb. “Each restaurant can do this weekly or as necessary and we have spaced them out for different days. With this prospective capacity we would be able to provide up to 800 individual hot meals per week (4 individual meals per prepared dinner), assuming funding ability which would be up to $3,200 per week. Of course, if all of this capacity is not needed or can’t be funded, the numbers can be adjusted accordingly.”
Non-profit organizations will be contacted to help the group know where to distribute dinners and commodities, he added.
“If we need to we can bring in other restaurants,” said Lamb. “We wanted to start this to help restaurants know what they can do. We don’t want people to have this need, but want the ability to feed the need.”
The group is asking for additional supplies and donations from the community to help, even if in-person volunteering isn’t an option. Items such as peanut butter, toilet paper, juice boxes and canned items are always accepted.
Lamb said he is grateful for the community support the group has been given.
Those wishing to contribute donations can do so at the First Christian Church, located at 1200 Community Park Road in Dyersburg. Checks should be made payable to the church or to Dyer County Volunteers.
For more information, visit the Dyer County Volunteers' Facebook page.