Hanover County making food kits available to community members beginning April 24 at Gandy and Mechanicsville elementary schools

Hanover County Government is making food kits available to the community on Friday, April 24, at John M. Gandy Elementary School and Mechanicsville Elementary School. The pre-packaged food kits will be available between 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and again from 5-7 p.m. This is a separate and distinct food program from the one being offered to children by Hanover County Public Schools.
The Hanover Education Foundation, working in partnership with Hanover County Government and Hanover County Public Schools, received a generous grant from the Central Virginia COVID-19 Response Fund. The funds will provide 12,500 meals for Hanover County residents and supplement the student meal program and the work of many food pantries and churches. Depending on the demand, the County government will schedule additional dates, as long as supplies last.
Those who need food will be able to drive through designated lanes at the school to pick up the kits, with as little human contact as possible for health reasons. Kits include ready to eat chicken salad, a tortilla, bag of chips, granola bar, trail mix, cookie, fruit roll up, and juice box. One box per person will be available.
For more details read here.

Global Youth Service Day Observed this Weekend

Global Youth Service Day (GYSD), the world’s largest youth service and civic action event, will be observed this weekend, April 15-17. This year marks the event’s 32^nd anniversary. GYSD celebrates the millions of youth who improve their communities each day of the year through service and is celebrated in more than 100 countries.

GYSD’s goal is to engage youth between the ages of 5-25 to serve non-profits and community groups as well as making a difference in the lives of others.

COVID-19 has made a big difference in how this event will be observed this year, with in-person volunteer efforts becoming a challenge. Hanover County Department of Community Services has put together a list of ways youth can still work toward making a difference in the community. More information about GYSD and ways youth can make a difference can be found here.

Hanover Behavioral and Wellness Offers Facebook Live Videos for Mental Health Wellness

Hanover County Behavioral Health and Wellness, a division of Hanover County Community Service Board, has been hosting a series of weekly Facebook Live videos to help viewers cope with emotional challenges arising from the COVID-19 outbreak. Week one of the video series talked about “Coping with Anxiety” and week two discussed “Staying Sober During Covid-19.” The next video in the series will offer resources for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities followed by a talk about accessing financial and other resources. The schedule varies from week to week depending on guest availability. For more information about this series, visit Hanover County Behavioral and Wellness’ Facebook page and past live videos can be found here