{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"KZYX News","title":"Covelo Volunteer Fair seeks helpers for in-person events and services","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":389,"description":"April 12, 2022 — With pandemic restrictions lifting and spring in the air, people are gathering again, planning events both recreational and civic-minded. In Covelo on Saturday, volunteers set up tables in the park outside the library to attract more helpers to their various causes and to drum up enthusiasm for upcoming events like the Big Time and the Blackberry Festival, both of which have been on hiatus for two years.\r\nOne organization that’s been more active during the pandemic is the food pantry, a program of the Round Valley Indian Health Center. Joel Merrifield, Sr, who is also a tribal councilman, was on the lookout for volunteers to help prepare and distribute the food, and even deliver it to people living off-grid, way out of town. Merrifield estimated that before the pandemic, the food pantry served about 100 families a month, but that in the last two or three years, the number has risen to about 150. “Some people feel like they’re taking away from somebody, but we help break the stigma,” he said. The food pantry moved to the Round Valley Indian Tribe’s Health and Safety complex at 76300 Grange Street in downtown Covelo about 15 months ago.\r\nAnother organization with a big presence in town is Friends of the Library, represented Saturday by librarian Pat Sobrero. The Friends provide funding for materials and programs, and serve as an umbrella for the Blackberry Festival and local radio station KYBU. “They also own this whole property where the Farmers Market holds their market every Friday afternoon,” she said. “So they do a lot of things for the community.” She added that, “The Friends are largely a fundraising operation that hasn’t done any fundraising for the last two years. So pretty soon, they’ll be starting their fundraising opportunities, and we’re looking for volunteers to help with that.”\r\nCharles Sargenti, the presiding officer of the Municipal Advisory Council, was trying to rustle up some interest in local politics. “Our primary function is...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/xZpAumwbhFUpJUYcwaQ1-q6snzOyqAm13l7cW6AWPCM/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9mMzkz/NjAwNjc2OWMyZmFk/YWY2YTdmYjI5M2Mz/YWMxNy5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}