SAHRA eBlast – April 5, 2020

COVID-19 Website Page

In an effort to keep our Members informed on COVID-19, we are communicating via our eBlasts.  We have now created a dedicated Page under Information on our Website for these posts.  You can access the link/button to COVID-19 Information for COVID-19 articles  at https://sahratoronto.com/.  This will take you directly to the Information/COVID-19 page. 

SAHRA’s 2020 Survey – submit by April 19th

We ‘delivered’ the Winter Newsletter via eBlast on March 26 – we hope you enjoyed reading it.  We also asked you to respond to the Survey by April 19.  We received a substantial number of responses so far but would also appreciate your input. 

There are 2 ways to participate in the Survey:

NOTE: The ONLINE and PRINTED surveys are identical.  Please complete one or the other, but NOT BOTH!

Our Show of Support for our Health Care Workers and all Essential Workers

The Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) initiated a campaign for everyone to join in and actively show our support for health providers and essential service workers.  As of March 19th at 7:30 p.m. and every evening going forward, people – from the doorsteps of their homes or keeping a safe distance – cheer on the millions of health providers and essential front-line workers in Ontario, Canada and around the world who are tackling COVID-19.

We are now asking the residents in our SAHRA Neighbourhood to show our support in honour of those heroes keeping us all safe, while keeping in mind social/physical distancing.  

Join us at 7:30 p.m. EVERY EVENING Rain or Shine

and every day going forward until the fight against COVID-19 is over

“This amazing spirit of human solidarity must become even more infectious than the virus itself.”   – Dr. Tedros, World Health Organization
Let’s make Dr. Tedros’ words a reality!

Armour Heights Public School Playground Closure

A reminder – the gates to the green space around the Armour Heights Public School have been locked shut to reduce the spread of COVID-19. 

COVID-19: Updates for affected City Services and Facilities

This City webpage lists the changes in their services and facilities brought about by COVID-19/click on Garbage, Recycling and Organics.  Note that the city is asking that all personal hygiene/sanitary products, including tissues, wipes, masks and gloves be disposed of in the garbage, and not the green bin.  The collection of yard waste, previously suspended, will take place from Monday, April 6 to Friday, April 17.  After this, the City will assess if it can continue to maintain the yard waste collection service.  Please note the following for yard waste: to ensure health and safety, please only use YARD WASTE BAGS, not open-top containers.

List of Essential Workplaces

Following advice from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health on April 3, 2020, Ontario updated the list of essential businesses that can remain open. The restrictions are aimed at further reducing contact between people and stopping the spread of COVID-19. 

List (and description) of the essential workplaces.

Stores that sell any of the following items are restricted to alternative methods of sale…they must provide them to the customer only through an alternative method of sale such as curb side pick-up or delivery, except in exceptional circumstances:

  • Hardware products
  • Vehicle parts and supplies
  • Pet and animal supplies
  • Office supplies and computer products including computer repair
  • Safety supplies

Community Response


5 things we/you can do to make a positive difference in your community while we deal with COVID-19.  SAHRA is offering to be a communications hub for those in need.  If you are isolated or quarantined and need help – whether for groceries, prescriptions, pet food or even just a friendly phone call, please contact us.  We will match the need up with residents you are offering to help, free of charge.  Email us at [email protected].  We will get through this, as a community, if we help each other. 

Are you willing/able to Volunteer to help us help our residents?  If so, please email us at [email protected] indicating the type of help you can offer.

 

Better Living Website COVID-19 Updates

Better Living  Health and Community Services is actively updating their website to provide you with access to reputable sources of information and reference sources on COVID-19.  They recently sent out an update on Home Maintenance Services.  They have now announced that they are providing virtual and call-in programming Monday through Friday starting April 6th.  You can connect on Zoom with video or call a listed phone number for audio only.  For information, access their website at https://mybetterliving.ca/. 

Click here to view the Virtual and Call-in Programming Schedule

Loblaws Community Support

Thanks to Loblaws for their support provided to our communities…

“Each year, our President’s Choice Children’s Charity funds 72 million meals for kids who rely on in-school hunger and nutrition programs. The sad fact is that right now, with schools across the country closed, we can’t serve a single one. So, in the last few days, we’ve made the decision to release $10 million in funding to work with partners like Boys and Girls Clubs to reach directly into the community and find new ways to feed hungry children. If you need this sort of help, or you want to support it, click here.

As we adjust how we run our stores, and we all adapt to new ways to shop and feed our families, food banks are doing the same. Just think of the challenge they’re facing. Like the in-school programs, they can’t gather and feed people like normal, and there are more Canadians at their door than ever before. Yesterday, $100 million of federal funding to address this challenge was announced. And for our part, we are donating $5 million to top up the $15 million worth of our gift cards already being purchased by several charities in order to get food directly into vulnerable communities. If you could use some support, or want to pitch in, you can find all the details here.

One more thing. We have made the decision to continue our usual Spring Food Drives this year. It may seem a bit strange under these strained conditions, but the need is great, and I know that many of you still really want the opportunity to help. So, when you are in our stores, and if you are able to, please consider putting an extra item in the bin or making a small donation as you check out. It will stay local and feed someone in your community.”

SAHRA Postponements

In view of the pandemic and the government/Public Health advisements, we will postpone the Annual General Meeting which was to be have been on April 29th as well as the Neighbours’ Night Out, which was scheduled for June 15th.