Joppa Homeless Services Continue With COVID-19 Safety Measures

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No mask. No gloves. No home.

The unsheltered are especially vulnerable to viruses, and those without homes need help now more than ever. All Homeless Services offered by Joppa continue without interruption, including weekly Outreach and Aftercare.

Trained Joppa volunteers and staff have been visiting people living under bridges, in tents and in vehicles weekly for 600+ consecutive weeks. This weekly outreach builds relationships that have resulted in more than 400 families and individuals being helped off the streets in Polk County. Over 80% of these men, women and children remaining in housing today.

What Joppa is doing to help fight the spread of COVID-19:

We’re making every effort to help those we serve and our volunteers stay safe by:

• Continuing all services for those in need
• Following all CDC and state guidelines
• Providing specific volunteer COVID safety training and instructions
• Providing information and COVID safety handouts to homeless clients
• Delivering soap, gallons of water, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, food, etc.
• Providing referrals for testing and seeking medical help upon symptoms

Food Preparation:

Joppa has temporarily suspended all meal preparation activities performed by volunteers, though we continue to deliver more than 100 warm meals each week to people living under bridges, in tents and vehicles.

How are we doing this? By partnering with long-time Joppa partner, Gusto Pizza Co., who is preparing delicious meals at their restaurant. This is to provide an extra measure of safety because commercial kitchens are required to follow FDA and USDA food safety rules.

How you can help:

Give to Joppa by clicking the “Donate” tab above, or drop off critical supplies such as soap, water, hand sanitizer, toilet paper and tissues to the new Joppa Center at 2326 Euclid Avenue, Monday–Friday, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. We will meet you outside and stay socially distanced.