How Volunteers Are Rising To Meet The Challenges Of The Pandemic

Hunger and isolation are two devastating side effects of the pandemic. But eager volunteers are stepping up.Quinton Askew leads 2-1-1 Maryland, the state’s health and human-services hotline. Volunteers have answered 36,000 calls a month, on average, since March. He describes how 2-1-1 helps seniors grocery shop, take their medications, and navigate telehealth appointments.You can connect by dialing 2-1-1 from any phone, texting your zip code to 8-9-8-2-1-1, or chatting online. Learn how to receive services or volunteer with the Caregiver Services Corps.Plus, Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland has tripled meal delivery since March. Julie Hollander, Senior Director of Volunteer Services, tells how they’ve ramped up operations. Volunteer Gerry Galuardi says packaging thousands of meals is hard but worthwhile work.Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his [email protected] 410-235-1472