Coronavirus in Polk: Entities that help the homeless are staying busy

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LAKELAND -- For Brenda Reddout, executive director on Talbot House, it’s just not possible to pack up and send everyone home.

Entities like hers that help the homeless and families in need are seeing a growing need for their services as the COVID-19 pandemic wreaks havoc with the economy.

“We can’t close,” Reddout said in a media release last week. “In the coming weeks, our community is depending on us to provide essential food, shelter, and medical care for those with nowhere else to go.”

Reddout said the pandemic is having an impact on those who are experiencing reduced work hours or caring for children at home as the Polk County Public Schools are closed.

Erin Martinez, development director at Talbot House, said the organization had to temporarily suspend the volunteer program and new intake, and non-essential staff members are working remotely.

People who come in to stay overnight are being screened and their temperatures taken with thermometers, she said, and the Talbot House is following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines of social distancing and sanitizing of the buildings and furniture.

The agency moved from communal dining to bagged meals and divided the residential dining. Martinez said the Talbot House could use some extra disposable cutlery, plates and cups for residential guests.

Talbot House is expanding preventive measures to protect its immune-compromised population while also expanding basic services.

Food pantry hours are increasing from once a week to Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Large food boxes will be offered every Friday, with supplemental bags available on Tuesdays. Dining services and bagged meals will be offered seven days a week at 6:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

The Good Samaritan Free Clinic is looking for additional doctors and nurse practitioners to volunteer. An application is available at https://talbothouse.org.

Lighthouse Ministries Gospel Rescue Mission

Lighthouse Ministries Gospel Rescue Mission in Lakeland has closed its chapel to provide extra space for beds, and church services are being held under the trees, said president and minister Steve Turbeville.

He said everyone served by Lighthouse also pitches in to help as needed to fill food boxes and other duties.

“I am just amazed at the awesomeness in people here who are serving,” he said. “The morale is so good.”

Lighthouse reaches reaches out to about 6,000 people annually in the community in addition to the guests who come to the mission. The agency offers food, showers, clothes and nightly lodging. Check in time is from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Call 863-687-4076, Ext. 253, for more information.

Lighthouse also offers a recovery program for people trying to recover from addictions or other detours. It serves some 150 men, women and children. To inquire about the Men’s Recovery Program, call from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 863-687-4076, Ext. 251. For the Women’s Recovery Program, use Extension 270. And for inquiries about the Lighthouse Ministries Community Preschool, call from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 863-687-4076, Ext. 220. The website is: https://www.lighthousemin.org/

Lake Wales Care Center

Lake Wales Care Center has established a social-distancing food pantry.

The biggest needs are canned milk, canned meat, canned fruit, peanut butter and jelly, breakfast items, pasta and sauce.

The donation dropoff at 201 N. Scenic Highway is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Pull into the back of the building, in the Yeoman’s Feed Store parking lot.

The dropoff at Dundee Thrift Store, 29696 US 27, is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The website is https://lakewalescarecenter.com.

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels is still receiving temporary requests for food. Contact Emily at 863-676-6678, Ext 1205 or Emily.lwcc@gmail.com Meals are $5 each but there is a sliding scale for those who qualify. Meals are delivered Monday through Friday around noon.

To donate online, visit lakewalescarecenter.com/donate or mail to 140 E. Park Ave., Lake Wales, FL 33853.

Kathy Leigh Berkowitz can be reached at kberkowitz@theledger.com or at 863-802-7558. Follow her on Twitter @kberkowitzthel1.