Riel Roussopoulos
Ask Hutch: Is there VITA this year? and should I use my canvas bags to shop during COVID-19? – The Hutchinson News
| The Hutchinson News
This week, readers wondered about tax assistance programs and reusable shopping bags.
Q: Is it safe to take my canvas shopping bags to Dillons and Walmart to be reused? I hate to end up with so many plastic bags!
It certainly is safe and could be safer than using plastic bags. Bringing your own bags will reduce your contact with surfaces at self-checkout.
I talked to Sheila Regehr, corporate affairs manager for Dillons.
Encouraging reusable bags is part of Dillons’ Zero Hunger | Zero Waste commitment, which focuses on ending hunger and eliminating waste in communities like Hutch by 2025.
Just be sure to frequently clean or wipe down your reusable shopping bags.
“Many reusable bags may be laundered or simply use a disinfectant spray to clean the surfaces. These practices are good to adopt regardless of the virus, as you will be protected against the formation of bacteria or cross-contamination,” Regehr said.
Q: Is the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) going to be offered to eligible residents this year at the Salvation Army?
Absolutely.
I chatted with Leah Chandler, director of the Volunteer Center of Reno County, which oversees the program.
They’ll open Tuesday, Feb. 16, in the Salvation Army Building, 700 N. Walnut St., with face-to-face and drop-off services. Masks are required and assistance will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays. There will be two Saturday dates, as well.
“We’ll put out updates or changes on our Facebook page, Volunteer Center of Reno County,” Chandler said.
Free electronic tax preparation will be available to people with incomes at or below $54,000.
Assistance will be provided by volunteers who have successfully completed Internal Revenue Service training and certification.
If you’d like to volunteer to assist, contact the Volunteer Center at 620-665-4960.
Send your questions to askhutch@hutchnews.com
Published at Mon, 25 Jan 2021 06:37:19 +0000
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