The Coshocton County Beacon August 26, 2020 | Page 5

August 26, 2020 The Beacon • 5 COVID-19 impacts plans for Operation Christmas Child collections this year The COVID-19 global pandemic has disrupted everyday life in some way for nearly everyone on the planet. Yet Samaritan’s Purse continues its Operation Christmas Child shoebox program. The National Collection Week is Nov. 16-23, and staff and volunteers are already preparing for any adjustments that need to be made in light of the current health crisis. Following local guidelines in each receiving country, organizers anticipate being able to distribute shoe-box gifts internationally and are working with local staff and volunteers. Another option is to build a shoe box online. It’s a convenient and personal way to give shoe-box gifts directly from home. You make it your own by choosing from a list of gifts, then adding a letter and a photo. OCC volunteers will pack it for you and send it. To build an online shoe box, go to www.samaritanspurse. org/occ and click on the link, Build a Shoebox! Check out some frequently asked questions below. If you still have additional questions, email [email protected]. People may not be able to host a packing party at church, impacting the number of boxes packed. Any suggestions? OCC strongly encourages packing parties to follow local government guidelines. If your church or group shoe-box goal is impacted by COVID-19, you may want to consider Build a Shoebox online. What adjustments will be made to drop-off locations to ensure safe collection? With nearly 5,000 dropoff locations planned in 2020, it is understood each community, county and state may be at a different phase of COVID-19 recovery during National Collection Week. Samaritan’s Purse is developing resources and procedures for dropoff locations to customize their collection to ensure the safety and well-being of both donors and volunteers. This may include providing required personal protective equipment to developing procedures for a touch-free experience for donors. Will there still be volunteer processing at the end of the year? Samaritan’s Purse continues to plan for a traditional processing season with volunteers, but it understands disease trends may prevent this from occurring. In this case contingency plans are being developed that would still allow volunteers to process shoe boxes even if social distance restrictions are needed. Also, additional personal protective equipment will be readily available, and additional cleaning protocols are being developed for all processing centers in 2020. If people can’t gather, why would kids be gathering? The health and safety of the staff, local partners and beneficiaries is of the utmost importance. Samaritan’s Purse is constantly monitoring COVID-19 trends around the world. In addition, Operation Christmas Child is working directly with its international volunteer leadership teams in over 100 countries to assess ongoing ministry activity with some modifications, according to local government guidelines. Should participants be shopping for shoe-box items during this time? Samaritan’s Purse and the Operation Christmas Child team encourages everyone to follow local guidelines and use personal discernment to shop for shoe-box items. Many stores are opening around the country, and online shopping is a popular method for participants. At this time there are no changes as to what can and can’t be packed in shoe-box gifts this year. Visit the group’s socialmedia channels and www. samaritanspurse.org/opera- tion-christmas-child/covid- 19 for the latest information. Need to Advertise? I can help! Contact Nina Drinko [email protected] or call 220-201-6920 BF-00489737 BF-00489540 In Season, Home Grown Green Beans Red Potatoes CERTIFIED ORGANIC Celebrate Zucchini Tomatoes Cucumbers Candy Onions Canning Tomatoes Available Seasonal Homegrown Produce John Jr. & Ruth Miller 29575 T.R. 469 Fresno, OH 43824 1 mile west of Pearl Valley Cheese Phone: [phone] Grandparents Day by Placing an Ad with us! Your ad will be published in the September 10th paper, just in time for Grandparents Day! $30 for Black and White or make it POP with color for $40 instead! You may send in pictures as well, we encourage this! Contact Michaela at 740-622-0244 ext. 7701 or [email protected] Place by Friday, September 4th at noon. Additional sizing and pricing available! THE BEACON IS MOVING! Nope, not that kind of move, we’re staying at 226 Main Street in Coshocton and we LOVE it here! But, starting next week, The Beacon will be delivered on Thursday! A KNO-HO-CO-ASHLAND CAC SERVICE Monday, August 31 Baked Pork Chop Sweet Potato Casserole Creamed Corn • Mandarin Oranges Dinner Roll & Milk Thursday, September 3 Breakfast Casserole Hash Browns Hot Cinnamon Apples Dragon Punch • Biscuit & Milk Menu Tuesday, September 1 Beef Vegetable Soup Spinach Salad (Egg, White Cheese) Banana • Cookie Crackers & Milk Friday, September 4 Philly Cheesesteak Battered Cauliflower w/Ranch Lima Beans • Fresh Strawberries Angel Food Cake • Bun & Milk PRODUCE PICK-UP WEDNESDAY SEPT. 2 ND • 1:00 PM September Soup 11AM-1PM Beef & Vegetable Take out only, includes cornbread - $3.00 each Salads Available Choice of Toppings & Dressings BF-00489779 ALL ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN CANCELLED. PLEASE CALL 740-622-4852 IF YOU ARE OVER 60 AND NEED ASSSISTANCE. Thank you for reading The Beacon! Office Phone [phone] ext. 7701 740.622.4852 | 201 Browns Lane, Coshocton | Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm To access ingredient content, please call Bud Moore 740.622.4852 BF-00489566