April 23, 2020 | COVID-19 Community Response Roundup: Virtual Art Walks & Hospital Delivery Service | By: Abby Armato, Communications Coordinator, NMSC |
“The District Community Love Wonderland" in Czech Village/New Bohemia Main Street District. (Photo credit: Czech Village/New Bohemia Main Street District)
The COVID-19 Community Response blog series features ideas and approaches that local Main Street America programs are taking in response to the pandemic. We will be posting these roundups frequently throughout the duration of the crisis. To view the full collection of roundups as well as access our robust collection of coronavirus-related resources, please visit our COVID-19 Main Street Resources webpage.
“Thank U” Yard Signs. Emporia Main Street in Emporia, Kansas, is selling yard signs to simultaneously thank essential workers and support the Greater Emporia Area Disaster Relief Fund. The fund is a collaboration of the Main Street, Emporia Community Foundation, KVOE, and United Way of Flint Hills. Both businesses and non-profits in the area can apply to this fund.
Cardiff Strong. A local video agency in Cardiff 101 Main Street Association from Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California, donated their time and talent to create a new video supporting the downtown. “Cardiff is our home,” the narrator opens. “While it may look different, feel different, we are still here. We are the businesses, the people, the heart of Cardiff.” The video shows clips of shops, restaurants, and retailers serving the community safely. In the YouTube video’s description, the video agency has linked to the Main Street program’s online order website as well as a small business support fund.
#InThisTogether Public Art. Downtown Angola Coalition in Angola, Indiana, sponsored a new piece of public art to spread the message of #InThisTogether. Local chainsaw artist Scott Lepley recently completed his tree-stump sculpture, which is now proudly installed in a pocket park downtown. This new installation has the community (safely) walking outside to enjoy the new art. 
Hospital Delivery Service. The Fell’s Point Main Street team in Baltimore, Maryland, is actively supporting their first responders during this pandemic. Not only is Advisory Board Member Patrick Russell organizing a regular meal delivery service to the local hospitals, he is also using his food truck to provide free meals to uniformed emergency responders. Turning to social media to raise funds for these initiatives, he was able to raise $10,000 to cover expenses and keep many of his employees on payroll.
Christmas (Windows) in April. During the holiday season, Czech Village/New Bohemia Main Street District in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, hosts a festive window decorating event called “Window Wonderland.” While it may not be December, this Main Street program has decided to deck the windows to show love for the District. They are calling this event “The District Community Love Wonderland.” And the storefronts couldn’t be any merrier.
Virtual Arts Walk. FrostburgFirst, a Main Street program in Frostburg, Maryland, is dedicating this weekend to their local artists and shops. Turning their Arts Walk 2020 event into a virtual affair, the program will fill their social media channels with local art and products from around their downtown. Supporting safely while celebrating local flavor—a great combination.
We look forward to sharing more Main Street community responses. Please fill out this form if your community has implemented an idea or approach you'd like to contribute.
Disclaimer: This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for legal, insurance, liability, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult your own legal, insurance, tax, and accounting advisors for guidance on these matters.