The Starke County Commissioners approved a resolution last week that extends their support and appreciation toward the Starke County Government Mobile Food Delivery Program.
The program began in April so that those who were affected by COVID-19 with unemployment and older residents experiencing a hardship could get groceries and a hot meal.
They believe that the service has been vital to those residents and to local restaurants. The county paid for the hot meals with grant funding that helped keep many of them in business during a state shutdown.
The commissioners approved the resolution with a unanimous vote.
The resolution will be filed along with CARES Act paperwork to show there remains a need for the service and to use CARES Act funds to continue the program.
Starke County Auditor Rachel Oesterreich explained that the county did receive a $125,000 grant from the Northern Indiana Community Foundation and it is the hope that part-time delivery drivers could be paid out of those funds. She does not believe CARES Act funding could be used for the salaries.
To date, the county has spent money received by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs for the program in the amount of $75,000.
The commissioners also thank all who have participated in the program to help those in need. Starke County Commissioner Bryan Cavender has been delivering meals to the residents who requested assistance and Commissioner Kathy Norem made note of his efforts last week.
“I actually enjoy it,” said Cavender. “I know that we have a rule that says leave it six feet by the door, but I come up and these older people can’t carry it and they say, ‘Can you please help me?’ and I’ll carry it in the house for them and set it down.”
Norem stated, “…and I think you deserve some special recognition for that. I think you’re probably the only one from the county that has gone every single week, several times a week.”
Deliveries are being made twice a week with volunteers from the county and two new drivers have been hired. For more information about the program, call 772-9128 or visit the county’s website, www.co.starke.in.us to access the order form if assistance is needed.
