Those answers didn’t come quickly enough, however, as the virus continue to spread. “We start cancelling everything,” Drakeford said. Separation was a temporary fix that had its own consequences. “I have never seen so many people that’s looking for assistance,” Drakeford said. On the frontlines was Darlene Thomas with Food for the Soul, providing food and housing to those in need. Credit: Kayland Hagwood Darlene Thomas “Originally, prior to the pandemic, we just had two outreach locations. Due to the pandemic and the desperate need for food, we are now at seven locations,” Thomas said. “The economy they say is starting to recover, but for whatever reason, it’s just not recovering quick enough.”