In the true spirit of community, Topangans and local government leaders have formed the Regional Topanga Preparedness—COVID -19 Group.
To make Topanga more resilient and prepared, Topangans and representatives from L.A. County Supervisors Third District office; TCEP; Assemblymember Richard Bloom’s office; the Topanga Community Center; Topanga Canyon Sages; Topanga Charter Elementary School; Move the World; Manzanita School; and the Topanga Fellowship Church, meet via ZOOM each week to discuss emergency solutions for the community.
These solutions include the coordination and implementation of volunteers, food distribution, medical support, and mask-making during the COVID-19 “Safer at Home” quarantine.
Cecilie Stuart, of Move the World, and Tam Taylor of the Canyon Sages, originated the group, known as the Regional Topanga Preparedness—COVID-19 Group, to prepare for the worst.
Topanga Cares—Topanga Community Center Grocery Drop. The Group’s first effort involves getting food and small items to those unable to shop for groceries.
“We know during this Coronavirus event that some in Topanga may have difficulty shopping for groceries and medications,” Stuart wrote. “So, a wonderful group of volunteers in Topanga have banded together to help our most vulnerable residents get what they need.”
If you live in the 90290 ZIP code and have a need for small provisions or a prescription pickup from a local pharmacy, please complete the form online at: topangacommunitycenter.org.
Already, many volunteers have signed up, but more are needed.
“To volunteer with shopping, we would certainly appreciate any time you can give—a little, a lot, or just a one-time thing,” Stuart urged. “We will match you with someone living in your neighborhood who can help you and will not share your information with anyone outside of this effort.”
“Thank you all,” wrote Kristine Sloan, who has been instrumental in coordinating efforts to support the seniors in the Canyon. “I counted and our [initial] efforts over three weeks went from nothing to almost 700 free meals delivered to seniors in Topanga and that’s not even counting who delivered groceries to seniors or helped them in other ways.”
Senior Meal Deliveries in Topanga. The Canyon Sages have been working with the Area Agency on Aging, Workforce Development, Aging and Community Services (WDACS) to coordinate and distribute food to about 60 seniors in Topanga.
“Thousands of older and dependent adults are now responsibly practicing Safer at Home principles, but in order to protect themselves and their loved ones, they need help bringing groceries and other essentials home,” wrote Otto Solórzano, Acting Director of WDACS. “L.A. County’s new Critical Delivery Service program will enable these residents to stay at home and still have food on their table.”
Items may be delivered 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, at no cost to the client. No application is required. Schedule deliveries by calling (888)-863-7411 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Clients may use this service up to four times or 40 miles per month, whichever comes first.
Rocco’s Cucina to the Rescue! Lifelong Topangan and TCC member Kristina Rocco Levy has emerged as a hero for many in the canyon. Kristina, whose family name is a Canyon favorite, recognized the need for home-cooked meals. Rocco’s in Topanga has changed hands, but Rocco’s Cucina in Pacific Palisades is cranking out meals to go every day.
Topanga Protective Mask-Making Project. By law, people now need protective masks when they go out to the market or pharmacy. Headed up by Karen Dannenbaum, Stacy Sledge, Karla Morrison, and Cecilie Stuart, the goal is to make masks for volunteers. Sledge has obtained protective MIR 15 fabric and they need experienced sewers to make the masks. For more information, contact Karen at karen.dannenbaum@gmail.com.
Securing Emergency Locations. The Topanga Preparedness—COVID-19 Group has also secured four locations to be used as temporary field hospitals if the need arises, including the Topanga Community House, Manzanita School, the Topanga Fellowship Church on Old Canyon, and The 1909 next to Café 27.
For more information contact Cecilie Stuart at Cecilie.stuart@outlook.com; or Alisa Land Hill at Alisajlandhill@gmail.com. For more information and updates from reliable sources please visit the World Health Organization at who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public;
For local updates, the L.A. County Department of Public Health at:publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/.
