COVID-19 Response and Support

March 9

All-staff memo informs Client Care Associates of new protocols regarding meal delivery, including increases social distancing and use of hand sanitizer and gloves.

March 9-13

Shelf-stable meals delivered to each YMOW client. Toilet paper, incontinence products and other necessities made available on request.

March 10, 2020

Michigan confirms its first two COVID-19 cases. Governor Whitmer declares a state of emergency in response to the first cases.

March 12

Most YMOW office staff ordered to work from home until further notice. No visitors or volunteers allowed to enter the building. Daily virtual meetings begin.

March 13

Mass email distributed to YMOW supporters informing them of new safety protocols for staff and volunteers and requesting donations to help meet costs. Amid shortage of hand sanitizer, YMOW collects bottles and ingredients to provide homemade sanitizer to clients.

March 14

Pi & a Pint fundraising event is cancelled. $3,200 in donations for COVID-19 relief collected so far. Staff turns attention to the pursuit of grant money and other financial assistance.

March 16

Daily wellness survey required of all staff and volunteers entering the building and/or delivering meals. YMOW purchases 190 packages of frozen meals for distribution to clients.

March 17

Robo call goes out to all clients informing them of increased safety protocols and changes in delivery.

March 18

Meals on Wheels America announces establishment of COVID-19 RESPONSE FUND. YMOW’s emergency response costs surpass $10,000. Federal government releases $250 million in emergency funding for the Older Americans Act (OAA) Congregate, Home-Delivered and Native American Nutrition Services.

March 19

YMOW Board meeting is held virtually for the first time. Free virtual counseling sessions made available to YMOW staff.

March 20

YMOW is featured on WEMU broadcast. YMOW is listed in MLive’s list of actions to give us hope during COVID-19.

Meals on Wheels, Orange County, California, shares materials for establishment of the Only a Ring Away friendly caller and wellness check program.

March 23-27

Additional shelf-stable meals distributed to clients. Food Gatherers supplies YMOW with cereal, peanut butter, jelly, pasta sauce, noodles and canned soup to supplement client pantries.

March 25

Frozen meals delivered to all YMOW clients, completing their three-week emergency supply and marking the largest single-day meal distribution in YMOW history. A flyer is distributed reminding clients of safe heating and storage instructions.

Governor Whitmer signs executive order requiring daily screening of all essential workers, including YMOW staff and volunteers.

March 26

YMOW calls on public for toilet paper to meet the needs of clients. Appliance Outlet provides YMOW with a refrigerator to store food donations.

March 27

First Only a Ring Away calls are made. Boylesque Michigan holds the first of several virtual drag shows in support of YMOW.

March 28

YMOW begins regular pickup of bread, dairy, eggs and other products donated by Whole Foods

March 29

Jo Jeffries, owner of Ziggy's, empties a refrigerator to provide emergency, short-term storage space for YMOW food donations

March 30

Weekly deliveries cut from six days a week to Monday, Wednesday and Friday only. Michigan Medicine pivots workflow and menu to provide two days of food for each day of delivery.

March 31

Optimistic that the virus would be gone by summer, the decision is made to move our May event, Meals on Heels, to August 13. YMOW receives DTE Energy Foundation COVID-19 Response grant

April 3

YMOW stops all ride-along volunteer routes. Only people who are from the same household are allowed to share a delivery vehicle. YMOW receives first of two grants from the Meals on Wheels America COVID-19 Response Fund.

April 6

Second Wave Media publishes a story by Sarah Rigg about YMOW’s efforts to continue serving its homebound neighbors through COVID-19

April 7

Updated COVID-19 safety protocols released for office staff, volunteers and CCAs.

April 8

United Way of Washtenaw County awards YMOW $15,000 for COVID relief.

April 15

Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation – The Foundation’s Community Assistance Fund awards YMOW $10,000 in COVID response funds.

April 16

YMOW Clinical Services Director Bethany Burge and Communications Coordinator Sandy Bosch are interviewed for the Lucy Ann Lance Show about YMOW's response during the pandemic.

Ann Arbor Distilling Company donates hand sanitizer for use by YMOW staff, volunteers and clients.

YMOW receives Small Business Association loan.

April 20

Gander News publishes story about YMOW's response to COVID and increased client needs.

April 22

Jorge Avellan of WEMU-FM interviews Communications Coordinator Sandy Bosch about YMOW's service to clients during the pandemic.

April 24

Delta Dental Foundation awards YMOW $500.

April 28

Delta Dental Foundation awards an additional $500 to YMOW.

April 29

Nine clients are temporarily transferred to Milan for food service due to increased demand.

Toyota Motors of North America donates a Sienna van and $25,000 to help YMOW expand to a fifth route.

May 1

Growing Hope makes free accessible garden beds available to YMOW clients.

May 5

Old National Bank awards YMOW $1,000 in COVID-19 relief.

May 6

Washtenaw County makes 2nd batch of cleaning supplies available for use by YMOW and our clients.

Common Source Acupuncture in Ypsilanti makes services available free of charge to YMOW staff in an effort to reduce stress and anxiety.

Chang Family Foundation donates $1,000 in COVID relief.

May 7

YMOW delivers the first of several meals prepared and donated by Blue Llama, Ann Arbor.

May 10

Maiz Mexican Cantina hosts Tacos and Tulips, a fundraiser for YMOW on Mother's Day.

May 11

MLive article features Toyota's donation to YMOW and our need for ongoing support.

YMOW receives $1,000 Frankenmuth Insurance Charitable Foundation Grant.

May 15

YMOW takes possession of its new Toyota Sienna, stuffed with pantry essentials by employees of Dunning Toyota. 

May 26

YMOW receives an additional $75,000 in funding from Meals on Wheels America. 

Aysling Ann Arbor donates $3,000 to YMOW's efforts to serve clients during COVID-19.

June 1

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church's Knights of Columbus 3230 donates $1,000 to YMOW.

June 3

Huron Valley Girl Scouts donates 20 cases of cookies to YMOW clients.

Herrick Foundation awards a $10,000 grant to provide programmatic support for YMOW.

June 18-21

Ypsi Ale House supports YMOW with a Father's Day weekend fundraiser.

June 27

YMOW partners with Hickory Creek Winery in Buchanan, MI, for a virtual wine tasting event and fundraiser.

July  1

Peoples' Food Co-Op in Ann Arbor collected $2078.75 for Ypsi Meals On Wheels through its Change For Our Community program throughout the month of June.

July 8

DTE Foundation provides PPE kits to small businesses through the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber.

July 16

Grainger in Ann Arbor provides YMOW with two boxes of N95 masks for staff and clients.

August 14

Boylesque Michigan holds a virtual Drag Bingo Night fundraiser for YMOW.

August 15

Unity Vibration donates 20 percent of the day's sales to YMOW.

September 19

YMOW partners with California winery Gloria Ferrer for a virtual wine tasting event and fundraiser.

October 9

Boylesque Michigan holds a virtual Drag Show fundraiser for YMOW.

October 15

Toyota Motors of North America donates a second Sienna van to accommodate the growing demand for service.