Tales Of Human Kindness Flood Essex County Amid Coronavirus

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The spread of the new coronavirus has caused fear, worry and confusion in Essex County. But the virus that causes COVID-19 has also inspired a rising tide of compassion that has united neighbors, school communities, health workers, local businesses and entire towns.

And in the words of one local police department, “How we act in these difficult times will define us.”

Read about some recent stories of human kindness in Essex County below. Do you know about any examples of neighbors helping neighbors during the coronavirus outbreak? Give a shout-out in the comment section, or reach out with local news tips to eric.kiefer@patch.com

KEEPING VULNERABLE PEOPLE SAFE

According to the CDC, older adults and people with serious chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and lung disease face a higher risk of getting sick from COVID-19. Many local efforts have been aimed at protecting these vulnerable residents.

In Livingston, town officials are coordinating volunteer assistance for seniors who are struggling to get groceries or other essential supplies, and don’t have family members who can lend a hand. (Learn more about the program)

In West Caldwell, police reported that people have been looking after senior citizens so they don’t have to venture out of their homes. Meanwhile, other residents have been organizing Facebook groups to help their housebound neighbors with transportation and supplies.

• See related article: Community Spirit Shines In The Caldwells As Coronavirus Spreads

KEEPING BELLIES FULL

A network of government agencies, schools, businesses and community groups have been teaming up in Essex County to make sure nobody is left hungry because of the coronavirus crisis.

Some supermarkets plan to offer early morning shopping hours for senior citizens only, giving them a chance to stock their refrigerators without facing a huge crowd.

• See related article: Seniors-Only Hours Coming To Essex County Stop & Shops

In Nutley, efforts are being made to ensure that students who depend on school meals don’t get cut off. According to a social media post from the Nutley Public School District:

“Thank you to Pomptonian Food Services for continuing to provide our students who typically receive breakfast and lunch with continuing food every day, and to Nutley Family Service Bureau and their volunteers for coordinating this effort. We are so grateful for the donation of fresh items like apples, oranges, pears, tomatoes, onions and carrots that we were also able to share with Nutley’s senior citizens. If your family does not currently receive breakfast or lunch, but needs additional food support in Nutley, please call 973-667-1884, option #7. No one will be denied a meal.”

A similar effort is being made in Bloomfield and Montclair, according to Toni’s Kitchen:

“Toni's Kitchen is partnering with the #Montclair Public Schools and #Bloomfield Public Schools to ensure that all children receiving school lunch will have adequate food in their homes during the upcoming school closures. Each family will receive a bag of groceries and fresh produce every week school is closed. In addition, we will be sending out meal bags to 80 seniors identified as at-risk by the Senior Services Department in Montclair. The Kiwanis Club of Montclair will be coordinating driving for this weekly service until senior programming is back to its regular schedule. We are grateful to both for their support.”

Also in Montclair, the Human Needs Food Pantry saw a swell of goodwill last weekend. According to the pantry:

“Nick ran a neighborhood food drive in Glen Ridge on Lorraine Street and Chapman Avenue. Henry and Mabel of Montclair made personal care packages of toiletries for our clients. Alyssa from the Holy Name Nursing School in Teaneck Student Council dropped off groceries from their food drive. Thank you everyone!”

Essex County’s diverse restaurant scene has been looking out for their neighbors, as well.

Earlier this week, Cinar Turkish Restaurant in West Caldwell announced it will be offering in-need residents one meal a day for free. “We may have disabled neighbors, old people or poor people etc. in the community,” the restaurant wrote online. “We will do our best in our capacity to take care of them.”

Cinar Turkish isn’t alone. Mama Vittoria in Nutley recently donated 100 meals to senior citizens, the Nutley Chamber of Commerce reported. And in Maplewood and Montclair, Ani Ramen handed out free "family meal kits."

KEEPING MINDS SHARP

Educators have been helping to stimulate the minds of thousands of housebound kids – and their parents – as districts across New Jersey go online in the wake of Gov. Phil Murphy’s recent order to close schools. READ MORE: Schools Will Close Across NJ

Looking to put some of their lesson plans to good use? Check out the following resources:

• The West Essex YMCA offered instructions for a simple-but-fun science experiment young learns can do with baking soda, vinegar and paint (watch the video here)
• The West Caldwell Library staff and other members of the community are reading to children at night, via the internet, to busy their minds and hopefully give parents a few minutes of rest (watch a video here).
• Thomas Edison National Historical Park in West Orange is offering virtual tours of its collections at the Google Arts and Culture site (see photos here)

Local police departments have also been lending a hand where they can, with some heartwarming results.

In West Caldwell, Captain Dennis Capriglione gave a virtual book reading of “How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?” for local kids, complete with his own “dinosaur roar.” (Watch the video)

After schools were closed in Newark, School Resource Officer J. Cosme helped make sure students at South 17th Street School got their homework packages for the upcoming weeks.

Send feedback and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Sign up for Patch email newsletters.