MISSOULA — Local volunteers have had to get creative in how they’re helping the community with heightened sensitivity to social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak.
One Missoula group that’s finding a way to make it work during this pandemic.
A warehouse on 150 South Catlin Street has become the new site for a no-contact donation drive-thru, an operation that will bring a little bit of assurance to a lot of our community’s most vulnerable.
“Those of us who are in an age range where our experiences with this virus may not be as detrimental, we have the power to make a difference for the whole community," volunteer organizer Christine Littig said.
Littig is just one of the volunteers in what she’s calling an incredible mix of Missoulians.
“It’s not just the broad-based organizing effort, it’s not just myself as a random employee at the Food Bank, it’s women from the Women’s Club, it’s Habitat for Humanity volunteers," she explained.
"There are a lot of people who want to make this happen and who are working really hard to learn proper sanitizing and safety procedures," Littig said.
Here’s how you can do your part, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., swing by 150 South Catlin Street and drop off your essential non-food items at one of the marked stations.
Everything from diapers and dish soap, to pet food and toilet paper, is greatly appreciated.
Once your items have been dropped off, volunteers, keeping social distancing in mind, will wipe down and sanitize the donations before delivering them to those who are homebound.
“One thing I’ve found in being a lifetime Missoulian and someone who cares about my community, is that we’re stronger if we think about the ‘we,’” said Littig.
n donating some simple, but essential items, you’ll be supporting those whose situations have changed drastically in light of the pandemic.
If you’d like to be on the delivery route for these items, you should fill out and submit a form here. Missoula Food Bank customers are also welcomed to swing by the warehouse and pick up items there.
The following is a complete list of essential non-food items you can donate:
- Toilet paper,
- can openers,
- dish soap,
- white vinegar,
- baking soda,
- Lysol,
- hand sanitizer,
- garbage bags,
- children’s Tylenol and Ibuprofen,
- thermometers,
- diapers,
- wipes,
- baby formula and food,
- wet and dry cat/dog food,
- shampoo and conditioner,
- soap,
- lotion,
- toothbrushes and toothpaste
- paper towels
- tampons/pads
- laundry soap
