The “Great Bend Cares” Facebook Group was created by the Great Bend Tribune on March 18 to centralize resources and information available to people in Great Bend and the surrounding communities during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The objective of this public group is to allow members to share and post community services and resources available to those who may be in need, said Tribune Publisher Mary Hoisington. 

Such resources may be members who have extra supplies available or who can run errands for our community members who must be quarantined. Information about resources to help all communities and their members is encouraged. 

Community members who are legitimately in need of help due to the pandemic are welcome to post their needs as well.

By Tuesday, March 24, the group was approaching 2,000 members. While it has moderators to prevent abuse, the group administrators at the Tribune said they are relying on members to help keep it a safe and useful resource for all.   

“We care about our communities and feel that if we pull together during these unprecedented times, we will be stronger as a result!” Hoisington writes in the group’s welcoming message.

Tribune Circulation Director Shonita Swank is also an administrator of the group. She notes that while some members have used Great Bend Cares as a place to post questions, share ideas and build a sense of community, its primary purpose is as a place for finding valuable resources, information and help. If people need help or are offering help, they can post a message. It’s a place for letting people know if a restaurant is delivering meals, but not a place for regular menu advertisements.

While fun and inspirational posts have been enjoyed, the administrators ask that members remember the purpose of the group. This will become more important when Barton County reports its first case of Covid-19 and/or more people are required to work from home or self-quarantine.