Pounding Success
The Shelves at the Florence Food Share are stocked for the holidays thanks to great community support for the 21st annual Pounding. Pounding organizer Cindy Wobbe said the tally on Saturday was 21,427 pounds of food, several thousand dollars in financial donations and a matching dollar for pound from local business Top Hydraulics. The four hour event began at 10 am with more than 2000 pounds already donated. Food Share Director Colin Morgan said the food share helps more than 650 families that represent over 2,000 individuals. He also says this week will be one of the busiest weeks and they are prepared.
“We’re open extended hours this week from 9:30 -6:00 and we’ll see 300 families that if we weren’t there they wouldn’t have a thanksgiving dinner.”
Food share hands out more than 300 turkeys on thanksgiving week. Food donated from the pounding event will last just over two weeks. The need according to Cindy Wobbe continues year round.
Boosters Open to All
Over the weekend the Oregon Health Authority has updated its distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Oregon is in line with the rest of the country in providing booster shots for any individual that wants one. Rachel Banks, OHA Public Health Director, says every adult can now receive a third dose of the vaccine or in the case of the Johnson and Johnson dose a second shot. Pharmacies, health clinics and other vaccine providers in the state will now have the booster shots available according to Banks. She is encouraging unvaccinated individuals to still get vaccinated as that population is the most prevalent when it comes to passing on the coronavirus. However with 1 in 4 individuals representing breakthrough cases booster shots, she says, adds another layer of protection.
New Cases for Florence
There have been 9 new case of COVID-19 for the Florence area since Friday’s report bringing the total, all-time to 777. Cases have not leveled off for the 97439 zip code despite the area being heavily vaccinated Lane County has reported its daily numbers for Sunday as 29 but the cumulative weekend total will come out with the Oregon Health Authority’s evening report. Hospitalizations continue a downward trend, though, the number of deaths continue to alarm health officials. 4,914 deaths have been attributed to COVID-19 in Oregon since the beginning of the pandemic with those numbers expected to increase with today’s report.
Kiwanis Community Meal
The Florence Kiwanis will pack up turkey dinners for the Florence community this Thursday at the Florence Elks Lodge. As it was last year, this year will be a drive through event and they expect to serve more than 600 meals to awaiting vehicles in just over an hour. The distribution of the meals will begin at 11:30 and will continue until the supplies run out. Vehicles can line up at maple and 12th street prior to 11:30 thanksgiving day.
Mapleton Water
Water is flowing once again in Mapleton although water authorities have left the boil notice in effect for at least a few more days as the lines have time to clear. Mapleton had several days with no water due to heavy sediment and leaves from recent rains which caused the rented filtration equipment to shut down. Businesses like Bi-mart and Fred Meyer are credited with helping by supplying drinkable water to individuals affected by the shutdown. The situation was so dire that Mapleton Water District president Millie Rochon had asked people to shut down their water fed appliances in order to avoid damage.
