Header image: Volunteers converge at Farmer Frog to distribute potatoes to those in need // Courtesy of EastWest Food Rescue

“Look for the helpers”, Mr. Rogers used to tell preschoolers when they saw scary things on the news. There has been scary stuff on the news every single day in 2020 and I like to put an adult spin on his statement and look for the good things. As an adult, it is my responsibility to be informed and be the helper when I can, but I need to spend time every day focusing on goodness for my mental health and to have hope about our future. 

Since the beginning of the pandemic when I saw all of my neighbors come out of their homes and get exercise walking every day, I’ve had a little hope. How can you not have hope when you see all the dogs going on multiple walks a day?

I saw neighbors checking in on other neighbors and picking up groceries for them. I received several phone calls from people I don’t typically speak with on the phone. They were just checking in to see how I was doing.  

While I know that many of our neighbors are suffering and that every day is a challenge to keep small business doors open, I have hope and am inspired by the grit and humanity I see all over Everett.  

I’ve been especially impressed with the creativity and ingenuity shown by business owners to keep money coming in and employees on staff. Some notable efforts I’ve seen include Narrative Coffee offering premade lattes in a half-gallon jug that customers can heat and serve at home. They also sell their amazing chocolate chip cookie dough packaged up for take-and-bake. 

Remember in March when the pandemic hit and we weren’t sure if we should go to the grocery store? Lombardi’s worked with its suppliers to offer groceries that included ingredients for full meals. It was a win-win for the suppliers, Lombardi’s and people all over Everett. Now they have a great Family Meal take-out menu that feeds a family of four. Bluewater Organic Distilling offers cocktail kits to go. Clever! 

Body & Brain Yoga and Tai Chi has been streaming their classes online and even offering free trial classes. Now they’ve taken advantage of the City of Everett’s Streatery program and are offering outdoor Tai Chi classes in a cordoned-off parking area.  

Nonprofits have gone above and beyond all of their usual amazing contributions to our community. Childstrive has been offering free warm meals to the community at their Free Meal Friday events and the YMCA has been providing child care for first responders. Y members who choose to continue paying their monthly fees can have their money support that effort. 

With libraries closed since March and families on tight budgets, the Westmont Holly Neighborhood Association collected donated books to hand out to kids at the school district meal distribution this past summer. Schack Art Center offered student scholarships to their online and in-person art camps and Volunteers of America opened up a food pantry at the Connect Casino Road location, an area of the city in need of easy access to a food bank.  

Using social media, EastWest Food Rescue was formed to keep produce from being wasted, provide income for farmers and to feed people in need. Zsofia Pasztor of Farmer Frog (a great local organization unto itself) is a co-founder of this amazing logistical effort. You can read about it here. And donate here. 

Our businesses got involved to support nonprofits too. Partnered with Alpine Cleaning & Restoration, Advocate Telecom and PEMCO Insurance, McClain Insurance has been purchasing weekly meals from local restaurants for the kids at Cocoon House. Kushman’s donated face coverings to Childstrive so that they could work to resume one-on-one work with their families.  

So that is just a fraction of good things I’ve seen happening during the pandemic. What have I missed? What are you inspired to do? 

Linda War Bonnet represents south Everett on the Live in Everett Team. When she isn’t working, she is running the Westmont-Holly Neighborhood Association. You might spot her walking her dog in the Holly neighborhood.