April 5, 2020
Local businesses in Gainesville are open and running through this crisis. Many are losing business fast because of the mandated quarantine. Restaurants are shifting to onine and to-go orders to maintain social distancing instead of closing their doors completely. They've also developed virtual tip jars to keep their businesses running.
Communities are keeping in touch while maintaining social distancing through new online methods like online yoga sessions that allow people to continue interacting with one another. People now have ways of coming together while staying safe in their homes. Businesses are not only saving themselves through these methods but are also doing all they can to give back to their communities. Alive Church and Maple Street Biscuit Company both took the time to assemble care packages that they planned on distributing to families in need that had been affected by the coronavirus. These packages included everything from food and meals to household essentials like toilet paper and paper towels. There have now already been over 100 packages and meals delivered to families throughout the community, and they plan to continue doing more in the future with the help of their leaders and volunteers.
The nonprofit Farm Share has also joined to help support the community this past week in Alachua County by distributing donated groceries with the help of volunteers. Together, they successfully distributed thousands of meals to crowds in East Gainesville.
