Client Newsletter | November 2020
Si necesita leer este boletín en español, haga clic aquí.
Important Note: We are changing the days, times, and procedures for shopping due to the rise in COVID cases AND it’s time to register for Adopt-a-Family and holiday meal. Please review all of the information below.
This November we want to remind each and every one of you how thankful we are to know you. It is a joy for us to do the work we do at Neighborhood Connection and to help you to feel empowered and thrive.. Take a look at this fall picture. Notice that what is right in the front of the picture is crisp and clear while the background is out of focus and blurry. Sometimes when life is overwhelming and our plates are piling high with things to do, we need to remember to focus on what is right in front of us. Do not worry about what is ahead and try to focus only on today. Think about what you can do today to shorten your to do list or maybe even get through the day without being completely overwhelmed.

The focus of this month will be preparing for the holiday season. Please read about our holiday programs, come shop the Community Store for winter coats and warm weather gear, Corner Store for Christmas gifts for your children and holiday décor, and call or visit us if you are feeling lonely or looking to connect. Thank you for being a part of what makes Neighborhood Connection so special. 
REVISED Shopping Dates and Times for November

Due to the rise in COVID cases and the need to ensure social distancing, we are adjusting our procedures during November and December so that you can schedule a time to come in to shop whenever it is convenient for you during our open hours. For our Spanish-speaking clients, we will have an interpreter on-call to assist you.

You can schedule a time to shop by calling Stacey at (608)849-5740 or signing up online at http://bit.ly/WNCShopAppt.

Our hours in November are the following:

  • Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
  • Tuesdays, November 10 and 24 from 4:00-7:00 PM
  • Closed November 25-29 for Thanksgiving

When you come to shop, please adhere to the following guidelines:
  • Anyone coming into the building must wear a mask.
  • Please only send one person from your household for shopping, if possible.
  • We will only allow three clients in the building at one time. If we are at full capacity when you arrive, we will ask that you please wait in your car until we let you know that it’s safe to enter. 
It’s Time to Register for Holiday Programs!

If you are interested in being considered for the Adopt-a-Family program and signing up for the Holiday Meal program, you can review all of the program information and access registration forms using this link:
Updated Hours at the Waunakee Food Pantry

Starting November 1, 2020 there are changes in hours at the Food Pantry due to COVID guidelines, fewer volunteers, and earlier darkness. They will be open two Wednesdays and one Saturday a month from 9:30 AM –12:00 PM
November Open Dates
Wednesday, November 4th
Saturday, November 14th
Wednesday, November 25th
Wednesday, November 30th
December Open Dates
Wednesday, December 9th
Saturday, December 19th
Completed Pre-Order forms are required at least one (1) day prior to pick-up day. Return forms the WFP drop box. If you forget your pre-order form, you will be offered a pre-packaged grocery bag of assorted foods along with meat, dairy, and bread options. If you are unable to pick up your food, you may send someone else to do so.

For a food emergency need outside of the regularly scheduled drive up services times, please contact the Food Pantry at (608)850-4346 to make arrangements for emergency service.
NEW games, toys, books and Christmas décor in the Corner Store!

If you are looking for something to wrap and place under the Christmas tree for your kids, the Corner Store will have lots of new board games, toys and books for you to choose from. We will also have new and gently used holiday décor for your home.  
Día de los Muertos

The Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de Muertos) is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico, in particular the Central and South regions, and by people of Mexican heritage elsewhere. The multi-day holiday that starts on October 31st and ends November 2nd involves family and friends gathering to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died and helping support their spiritual journey. In Mexican culture, death is viewed as a natural part of the human cycle. Mexicans view it not as a day of sadness but as a day of celebration because their loved ones awaken and celebrate with them.

Two great movies for kids that depict Dia de los Muertos are Coco by Pixar and Book of Life by Fox. 
Community Resources

Drive-through flu clinic
If you do not have health insurance, Public Health Madison & Dane County is offering a drive-thru flu shot clinic through November 21st at Alliant Energy Center for Dane County adults who do not have health insurance and children who have BadgerCare or Medicaid.

Getting sick with the flu can mean missing a week or more of school or work, and make you more susceptible to other illnesses like COVID-19, increasing the likelihood of being hospitalized. There is concern that the flu season overlapping with the COVID-19 pandemic could cause a “twindemic,” causing many people to get very sick, and overwhelming our hospitals.

Alliant Energy Center Drive-thru Flu Shots Details:
  • OPEN: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12-8pm, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 8am-4pm
  • CLOSED: Sundays and Mondays
  • No ID is needed, and you won't be asked for your immigration status.
  • Interpretation available.
  • Free transportation is available by calling the Public Health Transportation Line at 608-243-0420.
  • Anyone younger than 18 years old must be with a parent or legal guardian authorized to give consent for the flu shot.
  • Plan to wait 15 minutes after getting a flu shot to watch for any possible side effects.
Per CDC guidance, you will not be able to get a flu shot at the clinic if you:
  • Have symptoms
  • Need a COVID-19 test the same day
  • Have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days
  • Are waiting for COVID-19 test results.
  • The clinic will remain open through November 21, or until vaccine supply runs out.

Social Isolation Resources
We know that many of us are feeling lonely and isolated. The Area Agency on Aging created a wonderful list of resources to help everyone cope. Despite that this was created with older adults in mind, there is something here for everyone: https://files.constantcontact.com/157071db201/54e143f9-32a7-4405-b2af-2d705ddc0348.pdf.
Community Events in Waunakee
Peace Walk
Community members are invited to participate in this free event that celebrates the connections and commonalities that we all have. The walk will take place on Sunday, November 22nd starting at 4:00 PM at the Village Center. Participants can then take either a short or mid-length walk that will end in the Village Park for the lighting of Rotary in Lights and the release of sky lanterns. A family meal prepared by Taher Food Service will be available to order and pick-up earlier in the day. For more information, visit the event page on Facebook.
Waunakee is Home
“Waunakee is Home” is a video series on Facebook developed by Create Waunakee that shares the telling of stories by community members so we will find our similarities, learn about our differences, and share the contributions we bring to the place we all call home.

The next program on Saturday, November 7th at 10:00 AM in English and 10:45 AM in Spanish will feature Waunakee resident and Waunakee Neighborhood Connection board member, Angie Ramos, about her journey from Cali, Colombia, to Waunakee and her desire to better connect the Spanish-speaking residents in our community. You can watch it live or see the recording on Create Waunakee’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/createwaunakee. Past episodes are also available on the page. 
New Client Registration

Anyone interested in registering to receive Waunakee Neighborhood Connection's services can contact Stacey Dudley, client and volunteeer services manager, at sdudley@waunakeenc.com or (608) 849-5740 to set up an appointment.