EVANSTON — The changes associated with the COVID-19 outbreak can be anxiety producing at best, but for the most vulnerable it can be terrifying. A new local group is forming to try to help the most vulnerable in Evanston, comprised of local realtors, churches and others working in collaboration with the Uinta Senior Center and the Lord’s Storehouse food pantry. COVID-19 Relief is hoping to collect needed items and distribute them to those in need.

Uinta Senior Center Director Aimee Ottley says the center was been inundated with calls from people in need. “Some people are terrified,” said Ottley. She explained that many senior citizens or other people on fixed incomes, such as those on disability benefits, get paid once a month and are unable to shop until that time. However, when they are able to make it to the store, they’ve been finding it difficult or impossible to get the items they need.

Local grocery stores have made recent changes to their operating hours to exclusively allow those age 60 and over to shop. The Evanston Smith’s is offering this from 7-8 a.m. every day, while Walmart is offering a senior shopping event each Tuesday morning from 6-7 a.m. Benedict’s in the Bridger Valley’s senior shopping hour is from 7-8 a.m. Monday through Saturday. All three stores have changed their general operating hours to allow for restocking and extra cleaning and sanitizing to help with customer safety.

However, Ottley is concerned about those who are unable to go shopping even with the dedicated hours and about people in these groups leaving home to go the store at all. “They’re our most vulnerable group,” she said. “I want to keep them in their homes and not going out and being exposed.” Lise Freeman with Uinta Realty agrees. “Many people can’t get out to get what’s needed,” she said.

To help address these needs, COVID-19 Relief is asking for the community’s help. Ottley said people are in need of toilet paper, detergent, personal hygiene items, nonperishable food and even batteries and light bulbs, while the Lord’s Storehouse is in need of any food in general. Ottley also emphasized the need for distilled water for people’s oxygen concentrators, which she said is in short supply in the community.

Freeman said nonperishable items can be dropped off at Uinta Realty and monetary donations for assistance can be dropped off through the drive-thru at 1st Bank in Evanston through the Coronavirus Response Fund. Freeman said they’re also asking local businesses, including hotels, if they have any items like small toiletry bottles, etc., they could possibly donate.

Individuals in need themselves or those who know of others in need can call the Senior Center at (307) 789-3553 to request assistance. Those wanting to help collect items for those in need or get more involved can call Uinta Realty at (307) 444-8000.

Both Ottley and Freeman stressed that coming together as a community can serve to both help those in most need and help people in general cope with the stress of the current situation by taking an active role in doing something positive.