Lethbridge mayor proud of community response to COVID-19

VOLUNTEERISM

Spearman said there are many volunteer opportunities for residents looking to help, including delivering groceries to vulnerable neighbours and calling community members who may live alone and need someone to talk with.

More on volunteering in the community can be found through the Volunteer Lethbridge website.

COLLABORATION

Spearman touched on the impact of the Mindful Munchies program.

“Before COVID-19, students who were in need of food received it through the Mindful Munchies lunch program, which is a partnership between the Lethbridge Food Bank and MyCityCare that provides meals across our city, including 21 schools in both [school] divisions,” he said.

“As we moved to at-home schooling, many groups stepped up to make the Mobile Mindful Munchies program work.”

Spearman noted that there are currently over 750 children receiving a delivery at their home once a week, with enough lunch items to last four to five days.

“The Lethbridge Food Bank and the school staff have been working to put the meals together, and MyCityCare and the Boys & Girls Club deliver the meals,” he said.

“The Mindful Munchies program has proven to be a wonderful tool to help support some of our more vulnerable populations with information and the resources they need.”

In addition to food deliveries, Spearman said groups like the Helen Schuler Nature Centre, Building Brains Together and Lethbridge Plays are working with the Lethbridge Early Years Coalition, Lethbridge Public Library and the city’s Recreation and Culture department to provide activities and information to local families.

CREATIVITY

Spearman and the City of Lethbridge is inviting residents to showcase some of the “cool things” they have seen in their neighbourhoods, like sidewalk chalk art and messages of positivity in front windows.

The mayor is encouraging residents to share any messages of hope on social media using the hashtag #StayWellYQL, noting everyone could use “a little pick-me-up”.

The Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge has teamed with YQL Neighbourhoods for the Neighbourhood Window Walk initiative.

Residents are invited to respond to a weekly prompt by decorating their front window, chalk drawing on their sidewalk or by making a fun sculpture in their yard. Citizens can then submit their address on to an online map, so other members of the community can swing by and enjoy their creations.

The location map can be viewed here, while sign-ups can be done here.

The Allied Arts Council is also hosting ‘isolation art tours’, where residents can walk by local galleries, studios and public spaces to see works of art displayed at a safe distance.

LOCAL BUSINESSES

Spearman is urging residents to continue supporting local and praised open businesses who have shifted their methods of operation to continue serving the community.

“As residents, we often call upon the business community when we need goods or services to raise money for our kids’ school, or a local sporting team, so now’s the time to return the favour. Buy local and help keep their doors open,” he said.

He added that overall, he’s proud of Lethbridge’s commitment to flattening the curve.

“Remember, there may be groups of people out there who aren’t physically distancing because they live in the same household, and that’s okay. We just don’t want to see groups getting together who are from different homes. Currently, our enforcement and education teams feel there is about 80 percent and they will continue to work with the public to get compliance even higher,” he said.

“Our city has been fortunate to have a low number of cases of COVID-19, and that is due in part to the amazing job that everyone is doing. Please keep it up so we can continue to protect our community and return to normal as quickly as possible.”

Spearman noted that the city will continue to follow the guidelines set by provincial health officials.

by Justin Goulet

Lethbridge mayor proud of community response to COVID-19

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