Spokane COVID team coordinating food resources

SPOKANE -- The Inland COVID-19 Response Team's Food Continuity Task Force is working with area agencies to provide access to resources in Spokane County for those experiencing food and meal needs.

My Spokane 311 and the task force, together with community partners such as Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels, 2nd Harvest, United Way and the Spokane Regional Health District are collaborating on development and delivery of a "Food and Supply Needs" program, according to an April 10 news release. The program will be used to assess needs, and coordinate resources for Spokane County residents. The information collected will be used to connect community members with resources to help during this ongoing health emergency.

“In this time of a public health crisis it is clear that food continuity for struggling families is a top public health issue in our region” 3rd District state Rep. Marcus Riccelli, (D-Spokane) and member of the Food Continuity Task Force said. “It is critical that we understand the individual and collective food needs in our community and connect people to vital resources so they can get by in this unprecedented time.”

Individuals and families can access the program through online or telephone connections. To minimize wait times, if individuals are able to access the form online they are encouraged to do so.

Households with limited English proficiency are encouraged to call My Spokane 311. Staff have access to telephonic interpreter services.

To access the resources online, visit https://myspokane311.force.com/citizen/request/MSFOODSUPN/details. Residents living outside of the city of Spokane can also call 509-755-2489 Monday-Friday from 7 a.m.- 6p.m.

After the application is processed, the household will be contacted by a representative of the Food Continuity Task Force to connect to area food pantry or coordinate food delivery.

Additional partners in the program are the city of Spokane, Mid-City Concerns Meals on Wheels, Spokane Public Schools, ESD101, Northwest Harvest, Frontier Behavioral Health-211, the state of Washington and Spokane County.

Also today, the Spokane County Department of Emergency Management announced that five more individuals had tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the number to 251 total cases from 246 cases April 9. To date, 14 people have died from the severe acute respiratory disease.

John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com.