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LOGAN — The number of COVID-19 cases in Cache County is inching closer to a thousand as a recent spike there continues, bringing a sudden need to help hundreds of families who are now quarantined.
With close to 300 cases from the meatpacking plant alone, there are suddenly a lot of families, between Preston and Ogden in need of help. Luckily, there are a dozen or so organizations and churches, that are willing to pitch in.
From one family to another, a few canned goods and some toiletries are a big deal.
“I think that we as a community, we understand what these people have done,” said volunteer Jenny Willmore.
Willmore said many of those in need right now work in places like grocery stores, even a meatpacking plant where people put food on our tables.
“We really appreciate their efforts to help us through the last three months, but also, we just really appreciate the sacrifice that it means for them to stay indoors in their hours for two weeks,” she said.
It’s an effort that’s quickly spreading across the Cache Valley.
“These are everybody’s neighbors and everybody’s friends,” said volunteer Shannon Rhodes.
A social worker by day, Shannon Rhodes said she had to help.
“This is the good of what comes out of a pandemic like this, is people taking care of people,” said Rhodes.
People at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church said dozens of their own parishioners are now sick.
“These families are very grateful, and we are grateful for our community leaders, and charity groups that are stepping up,” said Michelle Welch of the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.
Organizations like the Family Place are pitching in too, putting together a donation drive.
“It’s just evident that there are so many people that are looking for ways to be kind, to help,” said Jennifer Anderson, advancement director at The Family Place.
But all of those are just a sampling.
“No one’s alone. We’re here for each other,” said Anderson.
These people are hitting the front lines, in many cases for the workers who did the same for us.
