Bringing Out the Best: Community Responds to COVID-19

In these unprecedented and often frightening times, it can be hard to find positivity and optimism in the world.  Schools have closed, offices have sent employees home, businesses have laid off their workers because of lack of revenue. Unexpected incidences like that of the COVID-19 global pandemic often breed unpleasant and dark times, and all too often, society feeds into the darkness: the panic, the sadness, and the negativity. 

But that does not seem to be the case here, in little old Western Maryland.  Instead, the community has come together to support small businesses, to support essential employees, and most of all, to support each other. 

Maryland public schools closed their doors to faculty, staff, and students in mid-March to hold off the spread of the novel Coronavirus, leaving thousands of families throughout the state scrambling to take care of their children, while also still attempting to go to work as directed.

In Allegany County, the scramble was no different. It became clear in those first few days of panic how helpful, if not essential, school meals were for students. While at school, there was always the guarantee of each child receiving a nutritional lunch. With schools closed, many parents and children wondered where their lunchtime meals would come from; knowing all too often that lunch was the only meal some children even received daily.

Enter local restaurants.

On March 12, Lashbaugh’s Bar and Grill in Cresaptown announced on their Facebook page that from 2-4PM Monday through Friday, the restaurant would be offering free meals to all school age children with no purchase necessary.  For one local restaurant, one small business, to step up and help the community was a tremendous display of love and gratitude. However, what happened next was even bigger.

By the next morning, nearly 20 local restaurants in the area also pledged free or reduced-price meals for school age children. Local restaurants in LaVale, Cresaptown, Frostburg, and Cumberland came together to give back to their community, and to offer some school age children the only meal they would receive each day.

Community members took notice of what these local restaurants were willing to do and sacrifice for their community. To show gratitude for what these restaurants were doing, and continue to do, for the community, flurries of posts flooded social media feeds, urging people to buy and eat local if they could. And once Maryland Governor Larry Hogan ordered for all dine-in operations to cease, forcing local restaurants to turn to carry out-delivery or shut their doors completely, the community answered back. Though no seats are filled in these local restaurants, people stand in lines at the counter (six feet apart, of course) or sit in the lobbies to pick up their meals. Still, even in these desperate and uncertain times, so many individuals in Allegany County are choosing optimism, support, and love.

But it does not stop there.

Recognizing that there was a giant need still in the community, some very special people leapt into action. It all started with a Facebook post by Cumberland resident Lisa Wolford:

“If you are in need of food to feed your kids lunch while schools are closed, PM me! No shaming/judgement.” 

What began as a personal mission to help families feed their children turned into a full-fledged community-led operation practically overnight. Wolford launched the Western Maryland Meal Response Team the next day, a Facebook group where Allegany County residents could join the effort to feed families in need. Brian Grim, former Mayor of Cumberland, is also a founding member.

In just under two weeks, the team has fed nearly 100 families. The team accepts both food and monetary donations, with the promise of all extra money and food being donated to the Western Maryland Food Bank. Wolford and her team operate out of the Cumberland Theatre.

Those interested in getting involved in Wolford’s project should visit www.feedwesternmaryland.com for monetary donations and https://www.facebook.com/groups/2841150659293795/ for the Western Maryland Meal Response Team Facebook group. 

Even during these unsettling and scary times, so many community members in Allegany County have chosen to support each other and to give love where they could. If you are located in Western Maryland and in need of help, please use the above resources to get the help you need.

With no end in sight to this global crisis, please stay safe, stay healthy, and stay home.