During Franklin County’s first-ever level 3 snow emergency, as Winter Storm Fern blanketed central Ohio in snow, LifeCare Alliance still worked to make sure no one went hungry.
The Columbus nonprofit continued working throughout the January storm, despite pausing normal services due to weather.
During the height of the storm, the LifeCare Alliance staff learned that a client did not have access to food.
LifeCare Alliance continued checking on clients throughout Winter Storm Fern in January, despite pausing normal services due to the weather.
LifeCare Alliance continued checking on clients throughout Winter Storm Fern in January, despite pausing normal services due to the weather.
With roads impassable and regular meal delivery temporarily disrupted, LifeCare Alliance’s nutrition programs director, Leah Bunck, arranged for McDonald’s to be delivered to the client.
“In moments like these, we don’t ask whether something is part of our usual process, we ask what our clients need to stay safe and healthy,” said Bunck in a release. “Food insecurity doesn’t pause for weather, and neither do we.”
During extreme weather events like Winter Storm Fern, the organization continues to check in on clients – responding creatively to help in the changing conditions.
LifeCare Alliance volunteers work to deliver meals to older adults and people living with medical challenges across central Ohio.
LifeCare Alliance volunteers work to deliver meals to older adults and people living with medical challenges across central Ohio.
Outside of working through harsh weather conditions, LifeCare Alliance delivers meals seven days a week, including on weekends and holidays, said president and CEO Charles Gehring.
«The meal is half of it. The other half is checking on them,» he said.
Gehring said each year, his team distributes Blizzard Boxes, which are shelf-stable boxes of food to be used in emergencies when LifeCare Alliance temporarily pauses its services.
Because of the prior snow in December, LifeCare Alliance distributed new Blizzard Boxes and included extra meals with the delivery to clients in preparation for Winter Storm Fern.