Coronavirus: York County businesses helping isolated residents in need
Local businesses are helping residents in need now that concerns about coronavirus, or COVID-19, have closed schools and businesses and canceled events in the York County region.
Meals
The virus also has closed dining spaces in area restaurants.
Z Bakery and Cafe in Fort Mill is asking residents to notify them of people who may be isolated at home and need food.
“We understand that a lot of people are at risk for being laid off or not making nearly as much money as they are use to,” reads a statement posted Tuesday to the business’ Facebook page Tuesday. “So instead of asking the community for help we would like to ask the community how we can help you.”
The bakery is starting a list of people, and will choose a few and a day to bring food and check up, the post says. The bakery employees will follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines when dropping off food.
If you or someone you know needs food delivered, e-mail trina@zbakeryandcafe.com or Kristen@zbakeryandcafe.com.
“We just wanted to do it to give back to the community,” said Trina Zimmerman, who owns the shop with her daughter Kristen. “People just support us so much, and they have throughout our stay here.”
The bakery opened in Fort Mill in June 2015, Zimmerman said. She said the bakery opened with $100 and used mixer and, thanks to the community, has grown to a successful business.
The Zimmermans, like many small business owners, don’t yet know how coronavirus will impact their future, the post says.
“This is an uncertain time for many small business, including us, and we are unsure if this will be our last season here or if we will have many more to come but we want to continue to serve our community as long as possible,” reads the post.
Lake Wylie Brewing Company in Fort Mill is helping feed families in need with the Lil’ Rocco Challenge, according to a post on the company’s Facebook page.
Residents or businesses can call the company at 803-802-0001 to buy a $5 “Rocco” pie, which will be added to a “bank” for people in need, according to the post. Families can call and ask for a “Rocco” pizza, which will be given to them for free.
The company is working with area churches to deliver the pizza to residents who cannot leave home, the post states.
“We here at Lake Wylie Brewing are blessed to live in this community. Our customers have supported us for the past three years and we want to help in anyway we can,” reads the post.
On Tuesday, the company had the first donation of 10 pizzas, the post states. Lake Wylie Brewing also encouraged others to follow suit.
Internet access
Comporium is offering 60 days of free internet service to new customers who have a student in their home, according to a release from the company Monday.
The offer is open through the end of March to residents who have a student in kindergarten through 12th grade, college or graduate school who primarily lives in the home.
To be eligible, residents have to live within Comporium’s internet service and have not used Comporium for internet for the past 90 days. Installation fees and security deposits will be waived.
TruVista, based in Chester, is also providing 60 days of free internet service and installation for families with students in school, according to a statement from the company. The offer is open to residents within the company’s service area who do not already use TruVista for internet. For more information, call 800-768-1212.
Check back for updates. If you know of a business or individual performing an especially heroic deed during this challenging time, The Herald wants to know about it. Contact Amanda Harris at aharris@heraldonline.com.
This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 2:40 PM.
