CRRC Taking a Wait-and-See Approach to COVID-19

Community Resource and Recreation Center of Canyon Lake, cognizant of the role it plays in supplying basic food supplies to hundreds of area families, is taking a wait-and-see approach to its COVID-19 response.

“We want to make the right decision that’s going to be the best for Canyon Lake,” Maureen Schein, development director said. “We will help in whatever way we can. That’s why we’re here, to support our people. A pandemic qualifies as a crisis.”

Closure would be catastrophic, especially for older adults who might be most affected by the virus, she said.

Although details of how CRRC might respond if the crisis worsens are not available, Schein said one possibility is that the Food Pantry would begin providing pre-packaged orders instead of allowing individuals to shop for themselves, a practice that was implemented when CRRC moved into its new building.

The charity also is paying particular concern to hygiene to protect the health of staff, volunteers and clients.

CRRC Executive Director Darin Zumwalt said he has seen no drop-off in sales at CRRC’s thrift store, 1917 FM 2673, Canyon Lake, which account for 56-percent of his annual budget.

“The board of directors is looking at this right now, trying to figure out how this will play out,” he said.

One possibility is the CRRC might ask for individual donations to supplement its operational needs.

Here is the official statement issued by CRRC late Friday afternoon:

“Like you, it seems every other email we open is talking about the coronavirus and how the company, agency or individual is dealing with it.

“Collectively, we believe it is safe to say there is no one that cares more for the Canyon Lake community than CRRC. For 38 years we have provided support in many different ways to many different people. But we recognize if COVID-19 makes it to our community it could make things very difficult for some that are already trying to negotiate difficult lives.

“Succinctly, those who are lacking will be lacking more.

“Imagine you sat idle most of the winter, scraping things together for your family’s Christmas until you could go back to work. You just did! Now imagine if you contract the virus and are off work for another 10 days. You haven’t caught up on all the winter bills and your spouse’s table-waiting income won’t make it.

“The families already strapped for income, food, transportation and medical services are going to be hurting if school is closed, jobs are shut down, people aren’t going out to eat, and the medical basics have been bought up in our community.

“We will announce any closures of our facilities or changes in our schedules through our Facebook page, our website, Twitter, and/or through email. Be sure to ‘like’ our page on Facebook and join our Twitter feed for the latest news from us.

“CRRC encourages you to tend to basic healthy habits: wash your hands; avoid big crowds and people who are already sick; don’t touch doorknobs, handrails and other frequently used items (keep a tissue handy or use your sleeve if you do have to touch them); clean and disinfect your home.

First Announced Change

“Many of our coaches as well as players’ families felt that they did not want to be around that many people, even though we have no cases in Comal County of the virus. Because of this, we have made the management decision of suspending the last of our season.”