Hundreds of Students Served in Drive-Thru Food Distribution

March 23, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Automobiles began lining up more than 2 hours ahead of time this morning (Monday) at the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center on the first day of a drive through food distribution for kids out of school due to the COVID-19 threat. Another distribution was held simultaneously at DeKalb West School.

The First Baptist Church served as the host for the event in Smithville, also supported by other churches in cooperation with the DeKalb County School District to make sure students, regardless of income, are fed while at home. The only requirement was that students, age 18 or younger, had to be in the vehicles driving thru according to state and federal guidelines.

Hundreds were served in today’s distribution. The pickup line in Smithville began at the Life Enrichment Center and extended down Church Street in front of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home and beyond.

Next week, March 30 and until school goes back in session, the school system will be taking on the food distribution at the same two locations on Mondays and Thursdays with continued support from churches.

“We will be preparing meals on Mondays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. until 12 noon at the same locations, the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center and at DeKalb West School. We will be putting together breakfast and lunch meals and additional food on Mondays starting March 30 for a three day supply and a two day supply on Thursdays beginning April 2,” said Director of Schools Patrick Cripps.

“We will have volunteers distributing the food. As you pull up to the buildings we will hand out food for the numbers of students age 18 and younger who are in the car,”he said.

March 23, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

To combat the growing spread of the coronavirus, County Mayor Tim Stribling is calling on all DeKalb County residents to heed an executive order signed by Governor Bill Lee Sunday limiting social gatherings, dine-in restaurant service, and gym use.

The new regulations are effective at midnight central time on Monday, March 23.

“Although there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 within DeKalb County to date this situation is rapidly evolving and threat of this virus is imminent to the citizens of DeKalb County. We possibly could have to take on more restrictions because there are just so many unknown factors in terms of the spread of the virus. Cooperation and social distancing will help slow this spread. I want to make sure that our residents and employees are safe as we work to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and provide essential services. I encourage everyone to follow Centers for Disease Control guidelines and adhere to the executive order of Governor Lee,” said County Mayor Stribling.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created both an economic and a health crisis and our response must continue to address both aspects,” Governor Lee said in a statement. “Our goal is to keep the public, especially vulnerable populations, safe while doing everything possible to keep Tennesseans in a financially stable position”

The executive order prohibits social gatherings of ten or more people and also enacts the following provisions regarding restaurants, bars, and similar food and drink establishments:

•Establishments are to exclusively offer drive-thru, take-out or delivery options to support families, businesses and the food supply chain during this emergency.
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•Establishments may sell alcohol by take-out or delivery (with the purchase of food) in closed containers to those who are age 21 and up.

•Gyms and fitness/exercise centers, or substantially similar facilities, are to temporarily close and suspend in-person services until April 6. In the interim, these businesses are encouraged to pursue digital programming if possible.

The order also pursues additional measures to keep vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with underlying conditions safe.

•Visitation to nursing homes, retirement homes, and long-term care or assisted-living facilities is now limited to visits involving essential care only.

•Businesses are encouraged to enact policies that take extra steps to assist vulnerable populations by considering measures such as shopping hours exclusive from the general public.

“I urge every Tennessean to take these actions seriously – our physical and economic health depend on this as we work to beat COVID-19,” the governor stated.

March 23, 2020
By:

DTC Communications has joined hundreds of companies and utilities across the United States in signing the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Keep Americans Connected Pledge.

In this pledge, DTC has promised to keep open public Wi-Fi spots to the general public. DTC has also pledged not to charge late fees or disconnect customers for specific COVID-19, or Coronavirus related reasons.

DTC has opened public Wi-Fi spots at each of its retail locations and is available for the use of any community member. The “DTC Community Wi-Fi” service may be accessed at no charge using one’s personal device from the safety of their vehicle if they are parked close to the store entrance.

“DTC has always been here to serve others. By joining the FCC’s pledge to “Keep Americans Connected” during these challenging times, we continue a long legacy of putting people first” said Chris Townson, CEO of DTC Communications. “Without question, broadband is a critical and necessary service to provide connectivity and improve the quality of life for our members and the region we serve. We provide service to schools, hospitals, health clinics, small businesses and families that depend on fast reliable internet access and communications services now more than ever.”

DTC has also partnered with several TV networks to provide free previews to all of its TV subscribers. The free preview channels include CNBC, CNN, FOX News, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Drama, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, MSNBC, Oxygen, Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel.

DTC Communications is a member owned telephone cooperative established in 1951. The cooperative supplies communication and entertainment products and services to residential and business customers primarily throughout Middle Tennessee.

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