Want an excuse to get out of the house and give back to your community (safely!) during this time? 

Come play in the dirt with us and help EP!C plant for our Harvest Garden program!  Social distancing won't be a problem in our 1-1/2 acre garden!  Plus, gardening has proven time and time again to have physical and mental health benefits - here's a long, dry meta analysis to prove it!  (Please note, EP!C does not offer medical advice nor should replace the recommendations of your doctor.)

We have multiple shifts on specific dates that you can sign up for.  You may sign up for more than one shift if you like.  This is to help control the number of volunteers we have onsite and allows us to adhere to the guidelines of groups no larger than 10 people.  If you are interested in bringing a group of 10 or under on another day, contact Carmen McCarthy at cmccarthy@epicci.org or call 309-689-3606 to discuss options and set something up!

The Important Info (PLEASE READ BEFORE SIGNING UP):

• We will strictly adhere to the guidelines of having groups no larger than 10 people total (this includes EP!C staff working with you).  Please do not bring extra people with you unless they have signed up through this link.  
• Face masks are mandatory when entering the building to check in. You are welcome to wear your mask when outdoors if you like, but is not mandatory. Everyone who comes to EP!C must have their temperature taken and complete a three-question health survey before volunteering.  If your temperature registers at 100.4 or higher, and/or if you answer "yes" to any of the three health survey questions, you will not be able to volunteer.  This is for the health and safety of everyone involved.
• Please bring your own gardening gloves.
• Please adhere to social distancing guidelines.
• If you are feeling unwell, or are otherwise unable to keep your time slot, please notify Carmen as soon as is feasible.  (We get it, life comes up - no worries if you can't keep your shift, just let us know please!) 

Contact Carmen McCarthy at cmccarthy@epicci.org or call 309-689-3606 with any questions!  If you are interested in helping but are not available on the provided shifts, please let me know and I will inform you when new days and shifts are added.

In light of the recent articles published in our local news websites, I want to assure everyone that we have had no confirmed cases of COVID-19 come from our main facility on Townline Road, and out of the positive cases all but one have recovered in a matter of days.  The best article which includes our full statement to the media can be found at this link at centralillinoisproud.com.  We are taking all necessary steps to ensure the health and safety of every person who comes in to our building, and why we are restricting volunteer opportunities to outdoor projects only.  Please contact Carmen McCarthy at cmccarthy@epicci.org or 309-689-3606 with any questions or concerns.

Thank you for being EP!C volunteers!