Rotary Cares

Rotary Cares
Devoted Club Members Embody "Service Above Self"
In Their Professional Lives

The Rotary motto of "Service Above Self" is more important than ever. Devoted Rotarians like Jessica Gosa, Executive Director of Foodnet Meals on Wheels, embody that motto every day. She's shared this update with us on all the great work her agency is doing in response to the pandemic. 

Foodnet Response to COVID-19

While planning and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic has felt like an ultimate test, there have been shining moments that demonstrate the strength of our community and team. In partnership with United Way of Tompkins County we were able to deliver a 14-day emergency supply of meals to our clients in the event of pandemic-related service disruptions. Our food distribution vendors, board members, and community volunteers came together to pack 8,750 meals within hours.

We have a tremendous amount of gratitude for the creativity and innovative collaborations that are happening literally overnight. We are working with our partners at County Office for the Aging to provide reassurance phone calls to our clients. Our friends at the Foodbank of the Southern Tier are packing emergency meal boxes for many of our clients. Our county officials are keeping us informed and are in constant communication. Community members are making us masks, and donating safety supplies to us. We are receiving cards and emails of encouragement from many of you daily. Your words are powerful and give us fuel to continue navigating our operations during this unprecedented time.

Our clients inspire us everyday to work in ways that we have never done before. Our operations look a bit different right now with all the safety precautions that we have in place, but we are still smiling under these safety masks. We are smiling at each other, our clients, and you.