Food Not Bombs of the Palouse took over the kitchen area of the First Presbyterian Church on March 15 to prepare dinner for anyone who wanted to come. The tables were spaced out and people were called individually for food to maintain social distancing efforts.
Inside the front door of Safari Pearl there are a few shelves filled with loaves of bread, boxes of crackers and bags of potatoes.
Restaurants around Moscow have made announcements across social media platforms that they will be offering lunches to children who were unable to return to school. One of those restaurants is Mad Greek, who is currently offering free lunches to children from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Now, since Moscow City Council passed Public Health Emergency Order No. 2020-01, Food Not Bombs of the Palouse does delivery and curbside pick-up.
“We are operating under the 10 person limit at our meals and on our drop-offs,” Oli Sivula, a member of Food Not Bombs of the Palouse said. “As we have always served the immunocompromised, we are taking precautions to wash hands diligently, wear gloves and practice social distancing where possible.”
Sivula said on March 22 the group distributed around 160 meals to community members around the area.
On April 1, Food Not Bombs of the Palouse will celebrate their second anniversary in Moscow and are still moving forward to provide Sunday meals when possible.
There are multiple other people trying to help their neighbor when they can throughout the city of Moscow.
“People have to eat. Anybody who wants to stop by and get something from the pantry they don’t have to ask they can just grab something. If they need a bag they can ask.” Kathy Sprague, co-owner of Safari Pearl said.
Sprague and her wife Tabitha Simmons posted a message to their business’ Facebook page to get the word out about what they’re doing.
The post said, “If the potential school closures have you concerned about your child not being able to eat breakfast or lunch let us know. We will do what we can to help.”
When they returned home, there was 60 pounds of food waiting outside their store.
“People, good people, want to be able to do something, and someone had posted wondering about how kids were going to eat. And it’s like … just ask me for food if you need it, don’t let your kids go hungry,” Sprague said.
Owner of Mad Greek Jenny Torgerson said when she learned about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommending that people should have at least two weeks of groceries in the house, she knew there were people who wouldn’t able to do that.
“There are families that can’t afford two days of food and essentials,” Torgerson said. “With kids home for the next two weeks, it is going to be even more expensive to provide food and essentials. I wanted to help.”
All these businesses and groups said to reach out via Facebook or through the phone if anyone needs assistance or would like to donate.
“We are trying to find ways to keep up community and solidarity in the absence of our usual sit-down style meal,” Sivula said.
Kali Nelson can be reached at [email protected].