Community Update: COVID-19
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
It is important the Samaritan Center continues our activities to support the health and well-being of the people within our service area.
There have been prior national and international public health emergencies, but the rapid spread of COVID-19 and the increase of information and misinformation makes this a time for patience, caution and careful communication.
Our mission at the Samaritan Center is to meet the basic physical, spiritual and social needs of those in our area using the ministry of Jesus as our model. After taking into account the recommendations of the Tennessee Department of Health, our Board of Directors have decided to take action in the following areas:
Thrift Stores
- Our thrift stores are temporarily closed. This decision was made after careful consideration and will not be the long term reality. We will monitor statements from the health department and will reopen our stores to the public when resuming would serve our community.
- Donation dock is closed and large item pickups are postponed until further notice.
- Internal thrift operations are temporarily suspended.
Social Services
- All in-person appointments with case managers will be transitioned to phone contact.
- We will continue providing emergency food bags, rent and utility assistance and additional social services.
- Continue supporting those in our service area. (37302 Apison; 37308 Birchwood; 37315 Collegedale; 37421 East Brainerd/Tyner; 37336 Georgetown; 37341 Harrison; 37416 Hwy 58/Bonny Oaks; 37353 McDonald; 37363 Ooltewah)
Volunteers
- All volunteer activities are temporarily suspended. This includes closing our volunteer room, offsite volunteer days and rescheduling the date of our volunteer appreciation banquet.
Financial Donations
- Walk-in donations have been postponed. While the office is closed to financial walk-in donations, other options are still available. You may donate through our online portal: https://thesamaritancenter.net/give-back/financial/
- You may also mail your donation to the Samaritan Center, 9231 Lee Highway, Ooltewah, TN 37363.
Community Health
The Samaritan Center has long supported the community through our thrift stores and social service assistance. Our method of serving our community is altered but we are still here to provide assistance. Instituting these practices and policies ensures we will be safer, healthier and stronger. Thank you for partnering with us to provide help for today and hope for tomorrow.