Our brothers and sisters on the Navajo Nation need help. The Covid-19 pandemic has hit the Nation particularly hard, according to the Rev. Norma McCabe, our Native American consultant among the Navajo churches.
One of our church members lives in Dennehotso, AZ. She and her elderly mother have health problems. They came to Bashas and were told not to come in unless they had a mask and gloves on. She asked a person who had gloves and a mask on to buy them their items. Bashas only had half of what they needed in stock. They eventually came over to the church, and I gave them masks my daughter Milinda had made. Some of our congregants live away from town so they don’t have running water nor electricity and have to come to the church to cook and shower. Others have to drive up to 60 miles round trip to grocery shop.
In addition to the supply shortages and long drives to get to a grocery, the hospitals and clinics cannot handle Covid-19 treatments and patients are being transported to Flagstaff or Albuquerque. There is a 5:00 curfew on the Nation. As I listened to Norma and others describe the situation, the notion occurred to me that they need a Marshall Plan. Unfortunately, I do not have access to the full weight of the U.S. government to enact such a plan; however, I know some Presbyterians.
The Valley congregation in Paradise Valley has stepped up, offering to take the lead in coordinating support from churches in the Phoenix metro whose members are willing to provide food, bottled water, disinfectants and other essential supplies. Through contacts at Valley, the Rev. David Joynt has secured the assistance of Shamrock Dairy to transport all donated items to four locations on the Nation from which our Presbyterian churches can distribute items to those in need. Additionally, David has secured the support of Bashas grocers to help with logistics and Wells Fargo who has agreed to give a matching grant of funds provided by Valley.
Here is how you can help. For the next two weeks, Valley’s members will receive your donations in their parking lot at 3535 E. Lincoln Drive in Paradise Valley. Church members will be present to receive and sort your donations at the following times:
Tuesday, April 21 from 9:00-12:00 a.m.
Wednesday, April 22, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 23, from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 28, from 9:00-12:00 a.m.
Wednesday, April 29, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 30, from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
My request is for you to coordinate with your friends and fellow church members and deliver some of the items listed at the end of this missive. If you have been itching to get away from “shelter in place,” here is a safe, socially beneficial reason to get out and about. Let’s do this for our brothers and sisters, for together we are one Body in Christ Jesus.
Grace out,
Brad Munroe
Essential items:
· Water
· Face mask, hand gloves.
· Hand sanitizer, hand soap, shampoo/conditioner.
· Clorox, Pine Sol, disinfect spray and wipes, air freshener.
· Toilet paper and paper towels.
· Dish soap and detergent soap.
Food items:
· Flour, powdered milk, baking powder, lard (Crisco), salt.
· Potatoes, spam, corn beef hash.
· Can food: vegetables, any meat products, noodles, fruits, etc.
· Pinto beans
· Spaghetti and spaghetti sauce,
· Macaroni and cheese, noodles, rice, mashed potato mix.
· Vegetable oil
· Cereal, oats, Cream of Wheat.
· Powder juices (Tang)
· Coffee, tea, cream, sugar.
· Any type of can items.
Extra non perishable items:
· Dog food and cat food
· Batteries: D’s, AA & AAA.
· Candles and matches
· Light bulbs
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