FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
Board Approves Donation for Barnabas Program to Provide Emergency Assistance to Individuals Who Have Been Furloughed Due to COVID-19
 
Nassau County, Florida, April 17, 2020 – At a Special Meeting today, the Board of County Commissioners approved a $50,000 donation to the Barnabas Center for their programs that provide emergency assistance to individuals who have been furloughed due to COVID-19.
 
Ms. Wanda Lanier, Chief Executive Officer for the Barnabas Center stated, “We are ready to help individuals and families who have lost income due to job loss, reduced work hours, etc. during the COVID-19 crisis. Services that are available to Nassau County residents include food assistance, financial assistance with rent/mortgage and utility payments, and urgent medical and dental care.
 
Board Chairman, Danny Leeper, stated, “This is a great opportunity to help those employees in Nassau County who have been affected with loss of job or income due to COVID-19”.
 
Individuals needing assistance should contact Barnabas directly at (904) 261-7000 for information on services that are available to them and for eligibility information.
 
Below is an outline of services provided:
 
Emergency Financial Assistance:

• Short-term payment assistance with past due rent, mortgage & utilities (electric, water, gas), etc. – must be able to document loss of income due to furlough status, job loss, or reduced work hours
• Assistance in applying for public benefits programs, i.e. food stamps and Medicaid
• Referrals & information for additional services

 
Food Assistance (schedule for April):

• Barnabas Food Pantry:  Monday, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.; Tuesday & Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (1303 Jasmine Street, Suite 101, Fernandina Beach)
• Hilliard Food Distribution – 3rd Monday each month – drive through style – Next distribution April 20th – Arrive no earlier than 10:30 a.m. – First Baptist Church (15850 CR 108, Hilliard)
• Weekly Food Assistance: Hilliard – Every Wednesday – 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. – First Baptist Church (15850 CR 108, Hilliard)
• Weekly Food Assistance: Callahan – Every Wednesday – 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – First Baptist Church (45090 Green Avenue, Callahan)
• Weekly Food Assistance: Fernandina Beach – Every Thursday – 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. – First Baptist Church (1600 8th street, Fernandina Beach)

 
Urgent Medical and Dental Care: Urgent medical and dental care to adults who are uninsured and low to moderate income, and do not have a primary care doctor or a regular dentist.
 
It is requested that you call in advance for a telephone pre- screening for crisis assistance, food stamp and/or Medicaid applications before visiting their office.

4/8/20 @ 8:15 p.m. - Today, several representatives from the County's Public Works Department assisted the Council on Aging with unloading a delivery truck containing 6,000 meals for seniors in our community.

A big thank you to those employees for all their hard work, and to Council on Aging for taking care of our seniors. The Board of County Commissioners provides annual funding to the Council on Aging to assist with their programs including their Adult Day Center, Meals on Wheels, Home Health Care, and more. The Board recently provided a separate donation so they could provide even more meals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to this, COA was distributing 600 meals per week. That has increased to nearly 3,000 meals per week since the onset of COVID-19. 

Residents wishing to made a contribution to their cause should call the COA directly at (904) 261-0701 or visit their website. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

3/16/20 @ 12:05 p.m. - Please see the below Press Release from the Council on Aging regarding Meals for Seniors and changes to their regular programs:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TO: Local Media
FROM: Janice Ancrum, President & CEO, Nassau County Council on Aging (NCCOA)
RE: Changes in Operations Due to COVID-19; Meals for Seniors in Need to Continue
DATE: March 16, 2020
 
Changes in Operations Due to COVID-19; Meals for Seniors in Need to Continue
In the wake of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, NCCOA has communicated regularly with our various audiences – members, supporters, volunteers and staff – and, most especially, our seniors – providing updates on our response to this situation. We have stated that we are following the guidance of the Department of Elder Affairs, Florida Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control (CDC), maintaining our normal hygiene regimen in all NCCOA facilities and monitoring the situation to make operational changes as recommended. While we have not traced direct contact from anyone having the virus to our Fernandina Beach Life Center, Hilliard Life Center and/or NassauTRANSIT facilities, we have received updated guidance to help ensure the safety and wellness of those we serve – Nassau County seniors.
 
Effective Monday, March 16, NCCOA will take the following actions:

• All NCCOA-related classes, activities and support groups will be suspended at both the Fernandina Beach Life Center and Hilliard Life Center through April 30; the Amelia Island Duplicate Bridge Club has also paused its weekly games indefinitely
• Both Life Centers will pause our daily seniors’ group (“Just Friends”) beginning Monday, March 16. We will continue meal delivery to this affected group after that date; 1 in 3 seniors in Nassau County suffers from food insecurity, meaning they do not know where their next meal is coming from. NCCOA will help ensure that our seniors receive meals and any other necessities they require, e.g., groceries, prescriptions, etc.  
• Our Adult Day HealthCare program at the Fernandina Beach Life Center will pause by close of business on Friday, March 20. As always, we will stay in close touch with our members and their caregivers during this time and provide necessary help and assistance.
  

 
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• NassauTRANSIT will operate its normal schedule, unless we are directed otherwise by the Florida Department of Transportation. As always, buses will continue to be sanitized throughout each day of operation.
• Home Health services will continue to be provided by NCCOA Home Health Aides and CNAs in the home of seniors.
• There will be no new space rentals at the Fernandina Beach Life Center until further notice; rentals already booked will be honored.

 
“Our mission is to ensure that our seniors receive services and compassionate care throughout each and every day – no matter what the current situation,” said Janice Ancrum, NCCOA President & CEO. “NCCOA’s staff and volunteers will continue to support the seniors of Nassau County during this challenging time.”
 
While COVID-19 has created a challenging operational situation, the greatest threat to NCCOA and the Nassau County seniors we serve is that state funding will be reduced since Life Center services are not being provided. However, NCCOA will continue to do our utmost – along with the generous support of our community – to make sure seniors have meals and any other assistance they may need.  
 
For general questions, please contact Liz Dunn, Marketing & Communications Director,
904-775-5473. You may also contact Janice Ancrum, President & CEO, directly at 904-775-5475. We will continue to keep you informed of our plans and progress. Thank you for your support.
 
NCCOA contacts for questions and additional information:

• Programs & Services – Robin Bogosh, Programs & Services Director, 904-775-5495
• Home Health – Debra Jean Landolfi, Home Health Director, 904-775-5476
• Adult Day HealthCare – Debra Dombkowski, LPN, CDP, ADHC Director, 904-775-5480
• Hilliard Life Center – Linda Rogers, Office Manager, 904-451-9371
• Building Operations – Don Harley, Human Resources & Compliance Director, 904-775-5485
  
• Life Center Activities – Melody Dawkins, Membership & Community Engagement Director, 904-775-5477
• NassauTRANSIT – Mike Hays, Transportation Director, 904-844-2081
• Volunteers – Lynne Starling, Volunteer Director, 904-775-5490
• Development/Donor Relations – Wallace Bennett, Development Director, 904-775-5481
• COVID-19 information:
  • COVID-19 Call Center/Florida Department of Health (available 24/7):                1-866-779-6121
    
  • Florida Department of Health Nassau: 904-875-6110; COVID-19@flhealth.gov