GREAT FALLS — Churches and nonprofits in Great Falls are coming together and have created a website to help the community out as the effects of COVID-19 (coronavirus) continue.
“It was last Wednesday we hosted a meeting at Central Assembly and a number of churches showed up...and we had the idea what would it look like if we pulled our resources together and gave one spot help Great Falls that people could go to - resource stuff or volunteer to drive, donate food, donate blood, and that really sparked," said Pastor Nick Gough from Faith Center.
The website - HelpGreatFalls.com - includes many ways to get involved in the community during this time, such as foster care, adminstrative help, daycare, transportation, food distribution, and more.
“A part of this response is, it’s not just the churches, it’s a lot of the nonprofits that are in Great Falls that are coming together for the coalitions, that’s the best way to look at this," said Pastor Rick Mazaira from Vineyard Great Falls.
The idea is to create one place online where everyone can go to help - and they want everyone involved
“We want to make it as easy as possible that our community can serve one another," said Gough.
“We are looking for as many people as we possibly can that want to help. Go to the website, click on it, we tried to make it as easy as possible if you have that heart," said Mazaira.
As of Wednesday evening (March 25), there are 65 cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Montana, with 24 of them reported in Gallatin County.
Here is the current total by county: Gallatin 24; Yellowstone 12; Missoula 6; Flathead 5; Butte-Silver Bow 4; Cascade 3; Lewis & Clark 3; Madison 2; Broadwater 2; Ravalli 1; Roosevelt 1; Jefferson 1; Hill 1.
Governor Steve Bullock hosted a news conference on Tuesday afternoon to give an update on Montana's efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus. Bullock said that his school closure order, which was set to expire Friday, will be extended to April 10. His order to close all non-essential businesses, including bars, casinos, and gyms, was also extended to April 10. Restaurants remain prohibited from allowing people to eat in their dining rooms, but can continue to provide take-out, curb-side, and delivery service (see here). Click here for more details about the restrictions.
There have not been any deaths in Montana attributed to COVID-19 at this point. Officials in Montana are keeping a list of confirmed cases in the Treasure State on an updated map and website - click here to visit the site.
As of Wednesday morning, the DPHHS public health lab in Helena has completed 2,001 tests for COVID-19; that includes 312 tests conducted since Tuesday morning.
CONTINUING COVERAGE:
- Federal coronavirus stimulus package: What it means for Americans
- How safe is take-out food during COVID-19 pandemic?
- Restrictions and closures extended in Montana due coronavirus
- Yellowstone National Park is closed to all visitors until further notice
- Great Falls Clinic now accepting homemade masks
- "GF Take Down & Take Out" supports Great Falls restaurants
- Update on coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Cascade County
- Yelllowstone County provides details on several coronavirus cases
- Coronavirus: Frequently Asked Questions in Great Falls
- Civic leaders explain "state of emergency" in Great Falls
- Some grocery stores begin offering periodic "seniors only" shopping
- Why COVID-19 is causing more concern than the flu
- Free COVID-19 testing and unemployment benefits for Montanans
