HUNTSVILLE, Ala. —
At 305 8th Street, they’re a family --- one that’s trying to make it through the COVID-19 pandemic. Andrea Williams adds, “We have the same needs that you do. You’re fighting for your family.”
305 8th street is a home for adults with special needs in Huntsville. They’ve been taking all sorts of measures to keep everyone safe. We caught up with Andrea Williams, Executive Director of the 305 8TH Street Community. She says “We ask our staff to change their clothes and wash them when they get home.”
But, the world stopped when two residents caught fever, were showing symptoms, and needed to be quarantined to protect everyone else. Williams says, “It just becomes more real and you want to be more careful.”
Williams says the experience has impacted the home financially. Providing around the clock care for the quarantined residents wasn’t easy. She adds, “It’s very costly to quarantine staff when you’re paying them overtime.”
Now, the residents are back to health.
“The thing that’s so sweet--- our residents are resilient.... We’ve had ‘jammy days’ and bingo. When they were in their room they really felt taken care of.”
But the struggles aren’t over. With so many mouths to feed, the shortages in grocery stores hit them hard.
Williams says, “Through this crises, bread is now a crisis! You know, the bread shelves are going empty. Bread is one of those commodities that’s low. We go through 10 loaves a week. It goes very quickly. We go through 10 gallons of milk a week.”
But there is a way you can help.
Williams says, “I’m standing on our porch on 2nd Ave. at 305 8th St. on the Little Granny Porch. This is the delivery place that anyone can come and drop off. You knock on the door and you can leave. You don’t have to touch anything. Or you can call the number on the door and we’ll come out and get it. The residents like to come to the door and holler ‘Thank You!’ but, we’re trying to keep safe distance from everyone.”
She says things are very different. But the foundation of the home is still the same. Williams adds, “If you handle it in a way of love, it goes so much better.”
You can drop off things like an extra pack of bacon, loaf of bread, gallon of milk or maybe even cleaning supplies. They're also looking for locals to drop off outdoor games, and other activity items for residents.