Left to right, Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre staff Karie Gongora, Kayla Vany, Amber Stewart (Executive Director) and Melissa Kainberger shown volunteering at the Food Bank. (submitted photo/Amber Stewart)

By Angela Brown

Community support

‘We will get through this together’: local NDP candidate

Mar 24, 2020 | 4:00 PM

Battlefords NDP candidate Amber Stewart is encouraging people to take things day by day during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I just want to stress that people need to stay home and don’t go out unless you have to,” she said. “Also, there is a ton of community engagement happening, even with social distancing, [such as] Hearts on Windows, window (art) scavenger hunts etc. We will all get through this together.”

A Facebook group called Battlefords COVID-19 Neighbours Helping Neighbours is available to give families ideas for games to keep their children occupied while still maintaining social distancing protocols.

Working together

Stewart, who has a background in social work, reminded people while they are physically following social distancing rules to also remember to check in on their loved ones and neighbours to find out if anyone needs help.

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“I think the NDP Leader Dr. Ryan Meili has been doing a really good job actively leading in the response to COVID-19, and trying to work with our partners in government to solve the concerns people are facing, and putting the politics of it aside” she said.

Stewart credits Meili for saying everyone needs to respond to the situation as an emergency, respond together and “make sure that people are taken care of.”

While the province provides information on financial support to businesses and workers impacted by COVID-19 on its website, Stewart said she would like to see a little more clarity on how those seeking assistance can access funding.

“How will people pay their rent, their mortgage?” Stewart said. “As an employer and as a working middle-class person in Saskatchewan I need to know how things are going to happen.”

Food Bank’s needs

Stewart is also the executive director of the Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre (BASAC).

She spent Friday volunteering with her staff at the local Food Bank to help with the need.

Stewart said the Food Bank is in demand now especially, and there is an increased need for people to make donations.

“I think the Battlefords is lucky to have [the Food Bank staff] working here, to ensure that people are still getting their basic needs [met],” Stewart said.

Helping those in distress

During this time when more people are under stress, Stewart said community members need to help one another.

Stewart said staff at the BASAC are working from home now but people can still call the centre for service.

Anyone needing help can also call the Battlefords Interval House women’s shelter or the 24-hour Crisis Line.

“If people are feeling anxious or overwhelmed, they can phone that line and a support person will be an ear for them to talk to,” Stewart said.

—

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow