Newmarket Mayor John Taylor was on the frontline with town staff who served a bagged lunch from the local Pickle Barrel restaurant to residents who are struggling during the prolonged battle to slow the spread of COVID-19.
“The residents who came through were very appreciative,” said Taylor who, upon declaring a state of emergency in Newmarket March 18, voted with council to approve up to $25,000 in support for meal programs, enhanced food bank operations, and other community needs.
On its first day of the lunch service, which will continue as needed every day from Monday to Friday beginning at 11:30 a.m., 42 people were served their choice of corned beef, ham, or tuna wrap sandwhiches.
About half a dozen people were waiting in line by 11:30 a.m., separated by at least six feet to observe physical distancing measures to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. Many others turned up on foot, and some families stopped by to take-away a meal by car.
This new town initiative comes on the heels of a majority of the area’s community meals programs closing down temporarily so its largely elderly volunteer base can stay home to self-isolate and do their part to stop the spread of the potentially deadly virus.
At the time of publication, another provider of a community dinner that runs Monday nights at St. John Chrysostom Parish on Main Street has shuttered for now. Its Newmarket parishioners helped to pull together the daily Pickle Barrel bagged lunch that can be picked up at the municipal office.
If you have any questions about the Pickle Barrel take-away lunch, call 905-895-5193.
Note that the lunch will not be served over Easter weekend, on Friday, April 10 and Monday, April 13.
There are many ways residents can help people who are food insecure during the COVID-19 pandemic:
The Newmarket Food Pantry needs your cash donations.
Newmarket’s only seasonal homeless shelter has extended its overnight program until May 5. You can help keep the doors open and provide food for guests by making a donation online.
Blue Door Shelters for men, male youth, and families has launched a $100,000 GoFundMe campaign called Blue Door's COVID-19 crisis fund to help it pay for additional pandemic-related food and supplies.
