- October 30, 2024
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Updated 2:43 p.m. March 27
The city has given away a lot of things in the past: water bottles, T-shirts, even butterflies at events. But toilet paper?
The alleviate residents' stress if they run out of toilet paper, and to alleviate the toll on the sewer system as a result of people getting creative with toilet paper substitutes, the city of Palm Coast is offering to help.
When the coronavirus outbreak began, the city’s Utility Department ordered extra toilet paper through it supplier, and Mayor Milissa Holland said March 27, on WNZF’s “Free For All Friday,” that the shipment has arrived.
How much toilet paper?
“Pallets,” Holland said.
If you have run out or are in danger of running out of toilet paper, you can call City Hall's customer service at 386-986-2360, and a city employee will deliver it to you. With 38,000 utility customers, there won’t be enough for everyone, but more could be ordered if there is demand for the service (the city later said it would only distribute donated toilet paper after its supply runs out). The city was able to divert funds from other events and initiatives that were canceled by the coronavirus outbreak to pay for the toilet paper, Holland said.
“We don’t want people to be left stranded,” she said.
After this story was published, the city clarified its commitment with this statement: "Palm Coast residents who are 65 and older or have a serious underlying medical condition will be the first served, in following Gov. Ron DeSantis' Executive Order 20-83, which identifies these two groups as vulnerable populations.
"Residents will be limited to two rolls of toilet paper per household. The City of Palm Coast will deliver the allotted toilet paper to the homes of the residents in order to help residents adhere to the 'Stay Home, Stay Safe' emergency proclamation."
"Residents must submit a request on palmcoastconnect.com or call Customer Service at 386-986-2360.
"Donations of toilet paper are also being accepted at this time. Residents may drop off toilet paper at City Hall, located at 160 Lake Ave. in Palm Coast.
"Once the City runs out of its limited supply, it will only be able to deliver what is donated, so any toilet paper donation is highly appreciated."
She said it’s in the city’s interest to help provide toilet paper to those who are running out.
“As of last week, our utility technicians have had to go to over 150 calls because we’ve had backup in our systems because of people using paper towels or wipes which causes blockage on the system,” she said. “So we are really trying to be proactive in trying to get these residents the toilet paper they need. It takes our technicians away from other things they need to do, and it puts an additional stress on the (wastewater treatment) system.”
Holland expressed sympathy for people who are struggling.
“There is a real concern because the shelves were empty and it was causing a lot of stress and anxiety,” she said. “Without toilet paper, they have had the need to use something, and they chose to use wipes or paper towels, and that is not what should be utilized.”
The Flagler County government also sent out a press release recently to discourage residents from hoarding supplies.
“Unlike the situation with a hurricane, the flow of supplies is not being disrupted,” Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord said in the press release. “Please only buy what your family needs for a week, because there are a lot of families that are unable to buy food and supplies for weeks in advance.”
The city and the county have asked people to stay home for 14 days if at all possible.
“We ask that you only go to the store once a week, and get only the things you really need,” Lord said. “We don’t need people making extra trips, because they can’t find what they are looking for.”
