BATTLE CREEK, MI — A Battle Creek-area zoo has distributed hundreds of prepared meals as well as supplies of personal protective equipment to local organizations during the coronavirus outbreak in the “spirit of community.”
Several organizations in Southwest Michigan received donations of personal protective equipment and prepared meals from the Binder Park Zoo, according to a news release from the zoo.
Since the stay at home order was issued in late March, the zoo temporarily closed its gates to the public and only essential workers are reporting the facility, the release said. Without any visitors, the zoo’s two restaurants had a substantial inventory of food, and staff decided it best to use the food to help those in need during the coronavirus emergency.
“Supporting our community is a privilege since they support the zoo throughout the year,” Brian McCorkell, the zoo’s food and retail manager, said in the release.
Around 300 meals were prepared and donated to S.A.F.E. Place of Battle Creek, United Way of Albion/Homer and Marshall House. Staff at the zoo also donated enough bulk food for an additional 400 meals delivered to Share Center of Battle Creek, the release said.
“We had a pretty good inventory of food on hand, and while it would keep, we felt it could be put to better use helping out those who might be in need by the crisis caused by COVID 19,” McCorkell said.
In addition to donating extra food supplies, the zoo also had extra personal protective equipment to donate to healthcare workers during the COVID-19 outbreak. Equipment from the zoo’s veterinary hospital — including face shields, N95 masks, disposable gowns, surgical masks and caps, foot covers and gloves — was donated to Bronson Healthcare.
Many healthcare facilities have reported shortages of protective equipment during the outbreak and have been accepting donations from the community to keep workers safe.
“It’s not unusual for zoos to receive donations of equipment and supplies from human hospitals,” Kim Thompson, veterinarian at the zoo, said in the release. “Now the opposite is happening. And while it isn’t an enormous quantity, we are happy to return the favor and do what we can by donating important PPE equipment to help keep our health care professionals safe.”
A number of other universities and businesses in the area have created and donated food and much-needed supplies to the community.
Fabri-Kal partnered with other businesses to create plastic face shields for healthcare workers, Western Michigan University has taken up a similar task and is creating face shields with a 3D printer and Kalamazoo Valley Community College donated food and medical supplies to community organizations.
Binder Park Zoo is a nonprofit organization that has been part of the Battle Creek community since 1977. More information about the zoo is available on its website, binderparkzoo.org, or Facebook page.
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