Local organizations encouraged to join in show of support
Waxahachie resident Melissa Chapman wants to get back to pre-pandemic normal, which is why she’s committed to wearing a face mask, social distancing — and feeding the fight.
Recognizing a need to boost morale among health care workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, Melissa started the group, Feed the Fight Waxahachie which coordinates donations from local people and community organizations to provide snacks and sweet treats for the more than 100 COVID-19 unit staff members at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center in Waxahachie, giving them a well-deserved pick-me-up.
“Feed the Fight was the result of a conversation I had with a friend who works at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center in Waxahachie. We were talking about how things were going at the hospital and she let me know about the toll COVID has taken on the staff that are fighting on the front lines day in and day out,” Melissa says. “With Thanksgiving coming up this month, I just thought, what can we do to show these COVID workers how much we appreciate them looking after our friends and neighbors during these difficult times.”
First to heed the call to get behind the healthcare staff were the members of the Waxahachie Rotary Club whose donations of brownies, lemon bars and well-wishing notes of support were delivered to Baylor staff in mid-November.
“We’re about giving back to the community in our community service, making lives better for other people, so this was a good opportunity to show just how much we care about these healthcare workers who have given so much to us,” says Waxahachie Rotary Club board member Ann Montgomery who was in attendance during the delivery of the first donation.
Baylor Scott and White Medical Center Waxahachie President Will Turner says the donations are an appreciated gesture of support to healthcare workers
“Our health care workers are wonderful, caring, compassionate professionals that are humans too, so we continue to lift them up in our prayers and our thoughts,” Will says. “We are so blessed to have such great support from the community. Giving back to our wonderful healthcare professionals is always a great thing.”
Melissa says she hopes to enlist more people and community organizations to join the cause and make the tangible forms of gratitude something that the hospital staff can look forward to.
“I am hopeful that enough people will want to participate that we can continue to bring food and lift up our local healthcare workers on a regular basis until we are able to return to normal,” she says. “These are unusual times to say the least.
“Usually, when you have a loved one in the hospital, family can visit, look after them, love on them, and make sure they are being taken care of.
“During COVID families aren’t able to visit in person, so the doctors, nurses, and staff are having to minister to not only patients medical needs, but their emotional needs as well. Feed the Fight gives us the opportunity to look after the people who are looking after us.”
Anyone interested in joining the Feed the Fight effort may contact Melissa through the group’s Facebook page.