South Milwaukee always steps up. Always. And it is now, as we get through the COVID-19 pandemic, together.
- I’ve already written about the work our city teams are doing. The selfless, team-first approach being shown by our workers – led our first responders, Health Department and Clerk’s office, which is trying to run an election in the middle of all of this, as well as the nurses coming out of retirement to help, the Street personnel helping guide in-person absentee voters as they arrive at City Hall, and others staffing up to process absentee ballot requests, and more – their work continues to inspire me.
- Local retailers like Walmart, Pick ‘n Save, Ace Hardware, ALDI and Mara’s Sewing House have stepped up to assist the city in obtaining supplies that are critical to assure continuity in essential city operations. Mara dropped off 50 hand-sewn masks at the South Milwaukee Fire Department on Friday – adding to the 100 already donated anonymously. Learn more on the department Facebook page.
- South Milwaukee Human Concerns, as usual, is stepping up too. While they have limited their hours, they continue to their mission of getting food in the hands of those who need it most – a need that will only grow as the economic recession takes hold. Details here.
- And don’t forget South Milwaukee schools and the Grobschmidt Senior Center – they are also working to ensure no one goes hungry during this emergency.
- The Senior Center continues to serve drive-through lunches for seniors Monday-Friday. Interested? Or know a friend, neighbor or family member who is? Sign up here.
- Also, the South Milwaukee School District is resuming its meal service program on Monday, March 30. All kids in the city are eligible, with lunches (and a breakfast pack for the next day) being served from 11:30 to 1 p.m. at three locations. Details here.
- We are stepping up as a city to help local businesses, too. Details here.
- A special shoutout to American Acrylics USA, a South Milwaukee company that has stepped up to quickly produce plastic shields we will use to separate voters from our poll workers on Election Day, April 7. The order came in Thursday and they quickly tackled the project – and other communities are ordering too. Thanks to owner Mike Wittman and all of the workers at this local company, as we take the steps necessary to keep us safe come Election Day, proudly shopping local in doing so.
- Businesses are helping businesses, too. One example: Last week, Rose Mob Grill food truck cooked food from the temporarily closed South Milwaukee Café, lest it go to waste, with all proceeds going to the cafe owners. They also donated a portion of proceeds and all tips to Human Concerns during fish fry service, and donated food to hospital workers. Owner Brittany Rosales is also supporting Moran’s Pub with sales from their online store.
- I also love how churches are stepping up, offering remote worship in many cases, daily affirmations and more.
Know of another example of South Milwaukeeans stepping up to help? Let me know! brooks@smwi.org.
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