Charitable initiative provides opportunity to invest in well-being of community’s most vulnerable citizens
DANVILLE, Ind. (Mar. 24) – When the 70 men, women and children living at Sheltering Wings sit down for dinner tonight, they will give thanks not only for the food, but for the generous donors who provided it. The Hendricks County nonprofit is asking supporters to donate dinners from local restaurants for residents as they shelter in place during the coronavirus quarantine.
“We have been extremely careful to abide by the guidelines for slowing the spread of the coronavirus,” said executive director Cassie Mecklenburg. “We have worked diligently with residents to help them practice social distancing while here in the facility. Typically, meal times are the most social times of the day. Our residents look forward to preparing and eating dinner together. However, that cannot continue during this quarantine. As a vital service to our residents, we must ask for donors to help.”
Rather than donating groceries, Sheltering Wings has created web page where donors can sign up to donate dinner, gift cards or cash through the end of April.
“Difficult times bring out the best in Hoosiers,” said Sheltering Wings board member and trueU president Kyle DeFur. “People are looking for ways to invest in the most vulnerable right now. This initiative is not only a way to help our residents and their kids, but it will also help local restaurants whose owners are feeling the effects of the quarantine.”
“Our community is amazing. I am so grateful for the support during this time. It fits with the theme of generosity and collaboration I see all around our community,” said Mecklenburg. Organizations across Hendricks County and Central Indiana have been collaborating to raise awareness, care for needs and provide activities for families:
- The Hendricks County Community Foundation, Duke Energy Foundation and Hendricks Power Cooperative launched the “All In, Hendricks County Response Fund” to provide financial assistance for human service organizations
- Several organizations came together to launch the Central Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund (C-CERF) to support human service organizations and the individuals and families they serve
- Men IN Action partnered with Hendricks County Sheriff Brett Clark to create an e-learning experience for elementary-age children and a resource pack for teachers
- Visit Hendricks County published an impressive list of at-home activities for family fun during long quarantine days
Sheltering Wings is among the first organizations to receive funds from the Hendricks County Response Fund and C-CERF. These funds will be used for direct service initiatives and operational costs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mecklenburg noted, “We’re all in this together. As we support one another, we can make sure this experience is much safer and more tolerable for everyone in our community.”
Donors can sign up to provide dinner at shelteringwings.org/meal-train. Those who would like to participate but who are not able to purchase an entire meal can donate cash or mail gift cards from local restaurants to Sheltering Wings, PO Box 92, Danville, IN 46122. Find a list of restaurants open for carry-out at visithendrickscounty.com/community/restaurants.
The following resources are mentioned in this release:
- Sheltering Wings Meal Train: shelteringwings.org/meal-train
- All In, Hendricks County Rapid Response Fund: hendrickscountycf.org/for-everyone-else/hccf-responds-to-covid-19.html
- C-CERF: https://uwci.org/covid-19-cerf
- Men IN Action/Sheltering Wings E-learning: shelteringwings.org/e-learning
- Visit Hendricks County Activities: visithendrickscounty.com/community/home
- Visit Hendricks County Carry-Out: visithendrickscounty.com/community/restaurants
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2020
CONTACT
Kevin Carr, Development and Communications Officer
Email
Since 2002, Sheltering Wings has helped nearly 20,000 domestic abuse survivors take control of their lives. We offer emergency housing, life skills training, children’s services and community-based prevention and education in a welcoming, Christ-centered environment. Beginning in 2020, we can now house male victims as well as women and children. Start building a stable, independent life today. You deserve it.
