Solid Gold Neighbors Support Waco
Solid Gold Neighbors Support Waco: City Growth Solid Gold Neighbor
Holly Webb, Office and Project Manager
Routinely, we highlight the work of Solid Gold Neighbors working in our city, individuals, organizations and businesses that strive to make Waco a place where all can thrive. Even during a pandemic, there is work to be done in our community. Today, we take a look back at some of our Solid Gold Neighbors, and what they are doing to address needs during COVID-19:
The Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty: Meals-to-You, a partnership between the Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty, the USDA, PepsiCo, and McLane Global developed emergency meals for delivery at the beginning of the pandemic to provide food to those without access across the country. Last week, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue announced a major program expansion. The initiative will serve 5 million meals per week to children in rural areas impacted by school closures, five times the original goal.
Cen-Tex African American Chamber of Commerce and the Cen-Tex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: Many Wacoans’ livelihoods depend on providing services and goods to the community. To encourage patronage of local businesses, the Cen-Tex African American Chamber of Commerce and Cen-Tex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce launched a small business bingo campaign on social media and buylocalwaco.com. It’s not too late to participate in the Buy Local Waco Challenge! Simply make a purchase from your favorite local shop and upload your receipt to the challenge website. Two winners will be selected to receive prizes from local contributors.
The Cove: Statewide shelter-in-place mandates complicated an already complex subject: youth homelessness within Waco. The Cove continues to serve this vulnerable population, connecting with every student they serve for check-in calls and assisting where needed through Cove Care Visits – contactless visits to drop off essential supplies.
Greater Waco Legal Services: COVID-19 has caused uncertainty for many as community structures and systems paused due to the pandemic. Greater Waco Legal Services is here to help. On Facebook, GWLS attorneys provide answers to burning legal questions via video. Topics have included eviction, immigration, Covid-19 Updates and mortgage advice.
Startup Waco: Through Expert Live sessions, Startup Waco is equipping small business owners with practical advice across a variety of topics relevant to the entrepreneurial community due to COVID-19 related challenges. These conversations, held virtually, are free to attend. Past topics include Clarity for Your Business in Covid-19, Make it in Waco, Understanding Unemployment Benefits During Covid-19, Self-Care for the Entrepreneur Taxes, Stimulus Checks and more to come. Check the Startup Waco Facebook page for the latest virtual events.
YMCA: The health of ALL is not only a top priority, but core to the YMCA’s mission. Due to COVID-19, Waco’s YMCA branches are closed for regular programming; instead on a daily basis, the local YMCA provides childcare options for first responders, medical professionals, government officials, and those that must continue their work in this challenging time.