Butte agencies, non-profits, and businesses are partnering to provide support to local residents impacted by Covid-19 through the Butte Mutual Aid Network, a new collaboration launched on Friday, April 10.
“Butte Mutual Aid is intended to serve as a neighbor-to-neighbor network of volunteers motivated to assist Butte community members in need. We want to come together as a community to support each other during these trying times,” said Steve Thompson, executive director of the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT).
Eight partners have worked together to launch the network and provide help to those in need because of the coronavirus. Partners include NCAT, the Butte Chamber of Commerce, Butte-Silver Bow City-County, Butte Food Co-op Planning Committee, Butte Local Development Corporation, Headwaters RC&D, Safeway, and United Way of Butte and Anaconda.
“COVID-19 has affected our community members in a variety of ways. The Butte Mutual Aid Network connects people in need with people who want to help,” said Stephanie Sorini, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce. “Butte is good at this. Together, we are stronger.”
A website, https://buttemutualaid.org, has been created that includes forms to ask for assistance, offer to volunteer, and provide donations to support needs in the community. It also provides a list of various resources that people can access as needed.
If you need help, or can give help, please visit the website or call the network hotline at 406-494-8688. NCAT staff will be answering the phone hotline and coordinating volunteers.
Mutual aid networks have been springing up around the country to provide hands-on local assistance and to help people stay connected and share ideas. There are four mutual aid networks already operating in Montana and Butte’s network becomes the fifth.