While adhering to the shelter-in-place directives administered by local government officials, members of the East Point/College Park Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated (EPCP) are still finding ways to serve beyond their individual homes during the pandemic. After anticipating and recognizing the immediate needs in the chapter’s service area, EPCP President, Debra Bunkley spearheaded a COVID-19 Task Force comprised of seven-chapter members, “I believed it was important to have a strategic plan based on the needs of the communities we serve as communicated to us by the mayors, commissioners, educators, and first responders. The members of the Task Force include medical professionals, military personnel, government employees both active and retired, and financial industry professionals.” The purpose of the Task Force is to develop a strategic plan to support communities and essential workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Just days after announcing the task force to the membership during the chapter’s virtual monthly meeting, EPCP members began engaging with community leaders to understand the needs and began providing support. EPCP partnered with its local Chick-Fil-A to provide boxed lunches to essential frontline workers in its service area including the Clayton County Police Department, the East Point Public Safety Department, the Fayette County Sheriff's Department, the College Park Police Department, and the Fayette County Health Department. While continuing to provide service is top of mind for EPCP members during this public health emergency, so too is showing sisterly love. Members maintained social distance in their vehicles while parading sorority sisters facing various challenges due to the Coronavirus. The EPCP COVID-19 Task Force and the chapter’s over 600 members pledge to continue with acts of sisterhood and service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated is a private, not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world. The sorority is a sisterhood of predominantly Black, college educated women with over one thousand collegiate and alumnae chapters across the globe.
Originally published in SOFU Lifestyle
