Vanessa Salmon created the Haines Support Chain survey to connect volunteers with people who need assistance during the pandemic. (Image from Haines Support Chain)

In an effort to limit the public’s exposure to the novel coronavirus, some residents in Haines and Skagway are offering to run errands for people who are in quarantine. 

Jackie Schaefer is a member and former president of Skagway’s Emblem Club. She is one of a few people in Skagway who are available to shop for others who are self-isolating in their homes. 

“We don’t want any of our elderly out and about if they can possibly avoid that,” Schaefer says. “It’s just a service we want to provide.”

But Schaefer says these grocery runs are not just for the elderly. The Haines and Skagway boroughs have asked that all people returning home from out of town isolate themselves for at least two weeks. They will need help buying goods so they can settle back in. 

“We’re seeing more people coming off the ferry and off the planes, so that’s a little scary,” Schaefer says, “Some of them are not abiding by the 14 day rule. You just got to follow the rules and hopefully it will come out okay in the end.”

In addition to making grocery runs, the Emblem Club is also willing to help cover the cost. The club is offering up to 100 dollars worth of groceries for people who need financial assistance. Schaefer says a few people have taken them up on that offer. 

“These are mostly families with kids, but they don’t have to be. They can be single people. If you just need help, we’re there for you,” Schaefer says.

Physical therapist Marnie Hartman has offered to make grocery runs in Haines for people who are self isolating. She says the stores have a few less items on the shelves and people are looking a bit solemn, but there hasn’t been a drastic change. She says it’s important that people don’t panic and buy out the town’s entire stock of toilet paper. 

“We need to be responsibly purchasing supplies to support ourselves but we also need to recognize that if we deplete supplies we’re not supporting the community. Make sure you have enough to give yourself two weeks, but you don’t need to give yourself six months at the cost of somebody not getting their two weeks,” Hartman says.

Last week, Haines residents created a new tool to assist one another as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts daily life. 

Haines resident Vanessa Salmon developed an online survey that helps connect people in the Chilkat Valley who need assistance with volunteers who are willing to help. It’s called the Haines Support Chain. A group of local volunteers came up with the idea while brainstorming ways to help the community during the pandemic. 

Chilkat Valley Community Foundation program manager Sara Chapell is helping to get the initiative off the ground. She says it’s just one more example of community problem solving. 

“The idea is not to take the place of friends and neighbors who are already pitching in and helping. It’s more to make sure that nobody is falling through the cracks and making sure there is help out there for everybody who needs it,” Chapell says. 

The survey asks people what they will need during a prolonged period of physical distancing. Those services might include delivering essentials, snow shoveling, garbage pick up, or even just checking in with a phone call every once in a while.  

“If you have a need you can input your information right into the form and let us know what you are looking for. If you would like to be a volunteer you have that same opportunity to input that information into the form and let us know what kinds of tasks you are able to help with,” Chapell says.

All of that information is recorded on a spreadsheet. Then a few people involved with the support chain will start linking volunteers with people requesting assistance.

Once a person who needs help is linked up with a volunteer, it’s up to them to communicate with each other to coordinate deliveries and other services. 

The support chain went live on March 19th. According to Vanessa Salmon, 60 people have responded to the online survey and 16 needs have been matched with volunteers. 45 people have signed up to volunteer so far.