One year in a state of emergency: Worcester officials, clergy reflect on pandemic s toll
WORCESTER There was a time when it was possible for the average resident to not know anyone who died from, or even came down with, the COVID-19 virus.
Not anymore. Few of us remain who don t know someone who simply had to isolate for a few weeks with mild symptoms, or someone who spent time in the hospital, or someone who had it with no symptoms at all. Or someone who died. A grandparent. A cousin. An in-law.
As the enormity of the situation started to crystalize in March 2020 and more and more cases starting popping up in Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency effective Wednesday, March 11.
New community fridge opens on Worcester s Portland Street
WORCESTER The city’s latest community fridge opened here on Sunday, as organizers set their sights on even more locations.
The fridge located at 44 Portland St. like the first one that Worcester Community Fridges opened at Fantastic Pizza & Café, 910 Main St. just over a month ago allows anyone to drop off or take food, 24 hours a day.
Another organization, Worcester Free Fridges, has also opened a public fridge at 300 Southbridge St., next to the Miss Worcester Diner.
“It’s all about normalizing free food exchange,” said Maria Ravelli, one of the founders of the Worcester Community Fridges project.
Yes, it’s free: Fridges installed around Worcester offer food to any in need
Updated Feb 28, 2021;
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Behind the vibrant blue door of this refrigerator was a bounty of goods: apple sauce, cottage cheese, yogurt, mixed greens, milk and eggs.
More than just a vessel to keep food fresh, this fridge is a resource set up to help combat food insecurity, an issue that has only been exacerbated by the financial impact of COVID-19.
It’s also a way to connect people around support for one another and build resilient communities, said Billy Gove, a volunteer who worked with others to organize the Worcester Free Fridge.