Rowan County SNAP-Ed had lots of plans for after spring break 2020, our program assistant would soon be returning from maternity leave and classes were planned to help her meet her SNAP-Ed goals for the year for both adults and youths.  Classes at D&S Services and piloting the new senior curriculum at Boodry Place were planned for adults and youths at Tilden Hogge Elementary School and completing the one class at McBrayer Elementary to achieve the goals, but we never returned from spring break.  COVID-19 concerns shut down schools, business, restaurants and shops all over the state and nation and working from home became our new normal.  Instead of providing nutrition information in person, staff had to adjust to learning how to record classes and share electronically.  Facebook, social media and zoom meeting became the way to share and get nutritionally information, but unfortunately not all of our stakeholders have the resources to view our information electronically.  Senior Citizens were especially vulnerable as they weren’t allowed to go to the center for meals and socialization, and most don’t have internet access or know how to use it.  

Publishing weekly newsletter was a way for KSU and SNAP-Ed to get information out to community partners, but for the first part of working from home all that was done electronically as staff couldn’t return to their offices to print the newsletters for those that couldn’t access them electronically.  Finally, as working from home was extended longer than May 15, KSU staff was permitted to return to the office using social distancing and facemask for precaution for short periods of time to print newsletters and get other needed materials and start distributing to stakeholders by dropping supplies off without personal contact.  Distribution begin at Senior Center to be delivered with lunches, and at Boodry Place lobby with text message and emails informing residents that had attended our classes that they were available.  Material were also distributed to Morehead-Gateway Helping Hands for Summer Feeding Program.

Using social media to share nutrition information was good as it reached a population that we usually don’t share information with and our nutrition groups steadily increased.   However, the at-risk population is our targeted audience and providing printed material works best for them.  On second drop off of newsletter and nutrition information to the Senior Center one senior was outside enjoying the beautiful sunshine, upon seeing the package stated, “is that more newsletters, can I have mine now?”  Of course, this exchange was done wearing mask and using social distancing, but it was nice to know the newsletter were reaching the targeted audience.