In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the state of emergency, the city of North Battleford is looking into how it could support local volunteer groups and organizations.
In a news release the city said it would explore ways to support local groups that provide services to those in need in the Battlefords, and in particular helping the most vulnerable including the elderly and immune compromised.
In speaking to the News-Optimist, Mayor Ryan Bater said they were working on a method for City Hall to assist “people, especially seniors, to get people items and food. So in other words, trying to coordinate a volunteer base to helping those who need help at a time when we're promoting self-isolation.”
Some local groups and individuals have announced intentions to coordinate a volunteer response to the pandemic to help those individuals who are staying at home during the pandemic situation. The indication from Bater is that City Hall wants to help those efforts along.
“We feel that city government can provide a leadership role on this. We are exploring how to do that right now.”
A second thing Bater says they are doing is they are looking to make available a number of city facilities to the Saskatchewan Health Authority if they need them.
“If they need additional space we can make our city facilities available,” said Bater. These would include facilities that are currently closed to the public due to the pandemic, including the Civic Centre, aquatic centre, field house and elsewhere. A letter is being drafted to the SHA by the city.
A third concern is food supply. Bater said the city is writing a letter to the province “to encourage them to find resources to contribute to non-profit organizations that provide food.”
This would include such organizations as the Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre, Canadian Mental Health Association and others. Bater said with layoffs pending in a variety of sectors in Saskatchewan, a lot of families may need to turn to these organizations for food.
As well, “donations they receive aren’t coming in,” said Bater. “So they’re in a position where they have to buy food instead of have food donated.” The hope is the province will help address that situation.
Bater noted the COVID-19 situation changes day by day but these were the steps they were working on now.
“They’re definitely out of the norm for a city government, but there is nothing normal about these circumstances. We have a community that needs support and we want to be there to provide them.”
