Feeding more families
Thanks to the kindness of a few local groups, many meals were shared this past Thanksgiving.
More than 1,880 people were served free Thanksgiving meals last week in Bartholomew County, up from 1,753 in 2019.
Columbus Baptist Church’s annual Feed the Flock outreach gave out a record 983 meals, First Christian helped prepare 522 meals at Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center, and a group of volunteers made more than 375 meals at the America and Roby Anderson Center Nov. 26.
Food insecurity has become an increasing issue in Bartholomew County. One out of every six residents in the county — including one of every four children — are at risk of going hungry this year due to the pandemic.
It’s encouraging to see such generosity locally. The volunteers that worked on the holiday deserve the community’s praise and support.
Adding to the abatement
Rent relief will continue for six restaurants located in downtown Columbus through the winter and spring months.
The Columbus Redevelopment Commission recently voted unanimously to extend rent abatement from Jan. 1 to June 30.
From April through December, the commission has abated $155,588 in rental payments. The amount of rent that was collected during that period totaled $20,114.
While some will criticize the decision, it was the right call by local leaders.
Local restaurant owners, such as Garage Pub and Grill’s Steve Leach, have explained that the restaurants are still bleeding money despite receiving financial help.
Restaurants have been hit the hardest during this pandemic, and need continued support. The cost of losing any of the businesses would prove far greater than having to replace them.
Rocking the vote
Bartholomew County voters made their voices heard in 2020.
The county saw higher turnout for the Nov. 3 presidential election than most other counties in the state at 69% — the best since 1992.
Statewide, 65% of registered Hoosiers cast ballots during the election.
The engagement by local voters is inspiring given the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic this year.
Our hope is that the turnout trend will continue upwards into the next election cycle.
