Weekly COVID-19 Update

Welcome to our second weekly COVID-19 update. Last week was a busy one! We delivered thousands of food boxes to seniors, held donation events all over the area, and partnered with Frame USA to "Fill the Truck." Read on for more.

Ensuring our seniors have food We'd like to recognize our Provider Services Department, and specifically team member Jennifer Lake, for organizing the effort to provide 14-day, shelf-stable meal boxes to all COA clients who receive home delivered meals (HDM) in case of COVID-19-related distribution problems. We have delivered about 7,500 food boxes, which equals 105,000 meals. We are still accepting donations in case a second round of meal box delivery is necessary. Donate here .

Community steps up for seniors! We put out the call, and our community answered. A great big thank you to: The individuals and organizations whose cash donations for meals for seniors now total $17,782. Individuals who have donated essential personal care and cleaning items for seniors. United Way, Aetna, Duke Energy and TriHealth, which each made generous monetary donations for senior meals. Akers Packaging Service Group, BGR, SpecTape Inc., Frame USA, Hilllsboro Transportation Co., Hafer Drayage, Matthew 25 Ministries, and Harrison, Crescent Springs and Milford Home Depot locations for their generous donations of materials and services to assist with personal care item collection, packaging and distribution. Crossroads Church, City of Wyoming, Lakota Hills Baptist Church, Frame USA and Blanchester Church of Christ for providing locations for our collections. All our wonderful volunteers!

How you can help

We've partnered with Frame USA's charity initiative, FilltheTruck.org, to accept donations for essential personal care items for seniors through the end of April. Donors may purchase items on the FilltheTruck.org website, or drop off items at designated locations/times. Details are here. We are soliciting donations of medical gloves and masks to give to our home care providers who are running low or are out of these supplies. Email [email protected] if you have supplies to donate. We are seeking volunteers to help with certain activities, such as calling to check on seniors, sorting donations, and more. Email [email protected] if you can help.

National and state COVID-19 updates

The latest information on government stimulus checks from AARP Ohio's Stay-At-Home Order Extended to May 1 CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings when in public and Ohio follows suit (includes links to instructions for crafting your own) Ohio retail establishments ordered to limit number of shoppers in store at same time

Focus on: COVID-19 fraud

From false claims of a COVID-19 cure to attempts to steal government stimulus checks, fraudsters are out in full force. News and tips for seniors to help avoid scams: Ohio Emergency Management Agency will NOT call you asking for personal information Ohio Senior Medicare Patrol information for avoiding Coronavirus fraud and scams Ohio Attorney General: Don't let thieves snatch your COVID-19 stimulus money FTC Coronavirus fraud information

And now for some good news...

Amidst what seems like all bad news, here are some items to help put a smile on your face:

Museums, zoos and theme parks offering free virtual tours Math teacher provides social distancing homework help Teddy bear hunts are making life "bearable" for bored kids Oregon man celebrates 104th birthday after recovering from COVID-19 Actor Matthew McConaghey hosts virtual bingo for quarantined seniors

COA in the news

The media - print and electronic alike - has been buzzing about the hard work that's being done by the community and COA staff. Here are some links to coverage that highlights COA.

WVXU - Meals on wheels Cincinnati Enquirer - Meals for seniors Cincinnati Enquirer - How to help Journal-News - Butler County is helping WLWT Channel 5 - Meals to seniors WCPO Channel 9 - Fill the truck FOX19 - How to keep vulnerable seniors safe Wilmington Journal News - Help for Clinton County seniors

COVID-19 resources from COA

Resources for seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic Our website has updated information and resources for those who need help during this difficult time: Food pantry list Instructions for online grocery ordering and links to grocers List of stores with dedicated shopping hours for seniors and others at risk Ideas for staying busy and engaged while at home Mental health resources Explaining Coronavirus to your children or grandchildren

Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio (COA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing quality of life for older adults, people with disabilities, their families and caregivers. We promote choice, independence, dignity and well-being through a range of services that help people remain in their homes for as long as possible.

Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio | Visit us today!

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