Curbside chess club creates community cohesiveness
Before COVID, dozens of families would gather at the Pruitt Library, located on the Roosevelt High School campus, every week to enjoy a free meal and rousing games of chess.
“Family Chess Night at Pruitt Before COVID (BC), was a great time for families in the local area to come together as a community and bond,” said librarian Sheri Watkins.
COVID put a wrench in those plans this year, so the team at Pruitt got creative. They decided to give away chess sets curbside and hand out pre-packaged meals provided by community partner Rackspace.
“The feeling is that although the community-at-large isn’t having the meals together, at least the individual families can enjoy a meal and recreate the in-person experience of quality time,” said Watkins. “When we go out to hand out chess sets and pre-packaged meals to families via the drive-through pickup, we are greeted with waves and smiles. It’s like a family reunion of sorts.”
The team is also providing lessons online with a chess master so families can also learn how to play. They have also added online gaming as an option for families who can’t make it to the curbside pickup.
“We hope that these moments offer an escape from the challenges of our current condition,” said Watkins.
The team at Pruitt Library is showing how #NEISDcares.
