Success StoryRemote County's Homemakers Numbers Increase During Covid-19



Remote County's Homemakers Numbers Increase During Covid-19

Author: Linda Combs

Planning Unit: Knott County CES

Major Program: Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association

Plan of Work: Empowering Community Leaders

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

·National data indicates that Covid-19 has caused a negative impact on mental health; causing stress, grief and anxiety.  During the late summer of 2020 the Knott County Homemaker council met using Facebook messenger rooms.  During the meeting council members discussed the impact of Covid-19 on county homemakers.  Homemakers were isolating themselves from even the sun – it was revealed that many were so depressed they had not even sat on their porch or stepped outside during the summer months.  Anxiety was at a high level from only interacting with news and social media.  It was expressed that the county would be lucky to have 20 paid members for the 2020-2021 homemaker year.  A plan was developed where the FCS agent would offer a craft kit pick up once a month beginning the first week of October and do this through December.  Each paid member would receive a special newsletter each month containing recipes and the leader lesson.  The homemaker campaign began with the offer of paid members receiving the special newsletter, a face covering and the opportunity for a drive by craft.  Three drive by craft events have been held – October, November and December.  There is an average of 65 paid homemakers that drive by, wave at the agent, smile and get a craft kit.  When membership ended December 10 Knott County Homemakers had 103 paid members.  This was an increase of 8 from the previous year.   Comments have included: “Thank you for doing this”, “I miss the extension office in-person activities,” “ Linda does such a great job of keeping crafts and recipes that we can do at home during this year of not being able to get together and be able to fellowship with each other”. “She has done a wonderful job taking care of us. Thank you so much Linda. Love you”. “Thank you for doing this.  You have no idea how much this has meant to me mentally.”






Stories by Knott County CES


Senior Cooking School

about 1 months ago by Lorie Adams

Issue or SituationMany seniors face challenges in cooking for themselves due to physical limitations... Read More


4-H Fruit and basic measuring lesson

about 1 months ago by Dora Centers

Knott County 4-H Council, County Extension Council, and county school needs assessments have ident... Read More