The United Way of Freeborn County is organizing volunteer efforts for people willing to help out residents in need in the coming weeks. 

Executive Director Erin Haag said the agency has created two online forms that can be found on the organization’s Facebook page asking people questions. The first asks people if they would be willing to volunteer and, if so, what type’s of volunteer work would they be willing to do. The second form asks people what the needs are that they might have as social distancing and other limitations are in place.

“We’re concerned about mental health aspects,” Haag said. “We’re concerned about isolation.” 

One of the things some volunteers will be needed for is making phone calls, especially with the elderly, and asking them how they are doing and if they need groceries or other services. The volunteer would find out the needs and help coordinate the appropriate response through various community organizations. 

Volunteers will also be needed to drive and deliver things as needed to people’s doorsteps. She said presently SMART Transit is taking on that role, but depending on the need, that may need to expand. 

“We will protect our clients and protect our volunteers and the whole community at large,” Haag said. 

On Wednesday, Haag met with a group of about 20 pastors and Freeborn County’s emergency management director to talk with them about efforts being done on the church level. Many are moving their services to live-streaming, and members are calling to check on each other. 

She wants people to know there are still many resources available to help people in need. 

Most of the meal sites in the community are still going but have switched to different formats.

Trinity Lutheran Church is offering a to-go meal on Wednesday evenings, and the Salvation Army’s meal site has been adjusted as well. Loaves and Fishes at St. Theodore Catholic Church has been suspended for a few weeks as they determine alternatives.

She said the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Freeborn County is working to spread the word on social media about online peer support groups and how people can deal with the added stress that has come during the pandemic. 

Semcac is still available to take calls about energy assistance and homeless response, and Adult Basic Education is doing distance learning, though GED testing has been closed for now. 

She said the United Way is working on putting up a hotline that people could call into if they have a need, and a volunteer would answer, helping make sure they are aware of resources and set them up with a delivery of goods if necessary. 

“There’s a lot of pieces we’re trying to pull together, but we’re developing the infrastructure,” Haag said. 

She encouraged people to support the economy where possible, as well as nonprofit and faith-based organizations.

She said this is the time of year many nonprofits to meet to start planning for summer fundraisers, but many of those events are put on hold. 

If people have questions, they can call the United Way at 373-8670.