What is the new normal?  For some, it involves a lack of grocery products, toilet paper or cleaning items. For others, it’s a routine change from an in-person conversation to phone calls. Recognizing these changes, the city of Groveland has launched a multi-faceted campaign for residents called Operation Reach Out, according to a press release.

Operation Reach Out is created to support Groveland residents. It encompasses an array of smaller programs underneath its umbrella to include initiatives named “Safe Hands,” “Citizen Check-In,” “Let’s Eat” and “Ring and Response,” all of which are geared toward improving the overall welfare of the community’s citizens who have felt the effects of the coronavirus.

The Safe Hands initiative consists of free hand sanitizer bottles being distributed to citizens, to assist in meeting the community’s needs for extra sanitary resources.  In preparation for a shortage, the city purchased 540 gallons of hand sanitizer to disseminate throughout the community.  Residents are encouraged to bring their clean and empty hand sanitizer or water bottles to the Groveland Police Department Trailer, where they will be able to “swap a bottle, for a bottle” Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. while supplies last.  All residents are asked to take one bottle per day to allow others a chance to participate.

“This operation is two-fold,” Groveland Police Chief Shawn Ramsey says in a press release. “Residents can bring their pre-cleaned empty bottles of sanitizer to the police department and acquire a free new filled one.  The turned-in bottles will be re-cleaned by the department and recirculated for the next batch.

Groveland police officers will also be visiting the city’s local businesses who are experiencing an outage of the sanitizer product and donating a portion to them.

As an ongoing effort to connect with residents underneath the Operation Reach Out Campaign, the Citizen Check-in line was created to have city employees dial residents for welfare checks and provide some friendly conversation. In addition, an online feature on the City’s website, allows users to input their local loved one’s information and request a personalized call.

Following City Hall’s closure, Groveland officials have placed the popular appliance Ring Video Doorbell at the entrance of City Hall to assist customers who may stop by with questions.  A live city representative will be able to answer questions from the application Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The “Let’s Eat” program is focused toward assisting residents with ways to acquire meals more easily during the current COVID-19 emergency.  City officials are in communication with local restaurants, food trucks and farmers that are willing to deliver to residents and communities within Groveland.  The list will be available within days and accessible through social media and on the city’s website.