MPA launches ‘Mainers Together’ coronavirus community response fund and volunteer effort

With schools across Maine now closed and many workers and their families sequestered in their homes, the impacts of novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, are just beginning to be felt across the state.

On Monday, Maine People’s Alliance (of which Beacon is a project) launched a state-wide community response effort, called Mainers Together, to deliver aid and assistance to those who are in need. According to the group, the website MainersTogether.com will serve as a portal for Mainers who need assistance, such as a delivery of groceries or a ride to an appointment, to connect with community organizers who may be able to help direct a volunteer community response. Mainers who wish to volunteer money, time or supplies can sign up at the site.

The community response effort also includes the Mainers Together Fund, which will support community response including direct cash assistance to those who lives are financially impacted by the coronavirus. MPA has said it will contribute $25,000 in seed money, in addition to staff and volunteer time.

“No matter the color of our skin, where we live, or what’s in our wallets, getting sick reminds us that we’re all just human. And fighting a global pandemic like coronavirus reminds us that any one person’s wellness depends on everyone else’s,” said MPA Co-Director Amy Halsted.

“Through snowstorms and long winters, Mainers are already used to looking out for one another, and we will come through this public health crisis the same way we always do — by pulling together,” she said.

South Portland resident Marie Pineo, who serves on the board of MPA, works for a grocery delivery company and says she feels obligated to keep working, despite having a chronic illness, because she knows vulnerable people shouldn’t go get the supplies themselves.

“I need to be there for other people,” Pineo said. “I feel that it’s my duty to reassure others that we’re all going to get through this. It’s going to happen so we need to be sensible about it.”

As of late Sunday, Maine has five presumptive positive tests and seven confirmed cases of COVID-19. Governor Janet Mills signed a proclamation of civil emergency and issued a series of recommendations in order to stem the spread of COVID-19, including ending classroom instruction in public schools, postponing all non-urgent medical procedures, restricting visitors to long-term care facilities and postponing events with more than 50 people expected.

In addition to “support[ing] Mainers immediate health and economic needs,” MPA said the site will also “organize impacted Mainers in support of necessary policy reforms,” to address larger societal issues exacerbated by the pandemic.

“As individuals, we can wash our hands, avoid unnecessary travel and help our friends, neighbors and community members,” said MPA leader Gina Morin of Lewiston. “But as a united force, we can also demand our local, state and national governments do everything possible to protect everyone’s health, no exceptions. It’s critical that our governments guarantee that every person has access to the testing, treatment and time off they need to get or stay well.”

Visit Mainers Together

Photo: Stefan Klocek, Creative Commons via Flickr