As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, stories abound of heroism by healthcare professionals, first responders, paid or voluntary, and others whose job it is to provide care and comfort to members of our community. And there cannot be too much praise for these men and women who are dedicated to helping others.
Although there are long lines and sometimes empty shelves at local supermarkets, most families in the county can acquire enough food and personal care supplies. But what about those among us who don’t have the resources to purchase the basics of life? For those families, the dedicated volunteers at the Flemington Area Food Pantry are still serving Pantry clients. But the pandemic has required the pantry to take necessary precautions to protect both clients and volunteers.
Where before the pandemic, Pantry clients would come in to the comfortable Pantry waiting room twice a month and select the food and personal care items they need, they now wait in their cars or under shelter outside the building. When the client’s turn comes, a volunteer runner takes their order and hands it off to a volunteer inside the building . The grocery items are packed in boxes and brought out to the client by another volunteer. This revised process permits the Pantry volunteers to comply with social distancing rules, and helps keep both the volunteers and clients reasonably safe from the possibility of being infected. The new reality of drive-through, walk up service will continue until the crisis ends.
Pantry Executive Director Jeannine Gorman said “We actually had a pretty good [first] week as we adjust to the "new normal" at the Pantry. We had 185 visits in 4 sessions, averaging 46 visits a day and 14 new families.” Gorman pointed out these included “some beautiful families who have never used a pantry before. It’s very sad.” Compared with a period earlier in the month and before the pandemic prompted changes, according to Gorman, the pantry had a 34% increase in visits and a 166% increase in new families. This increase is likely attributed to the increased unemployment during the Covid-19 pandemic. Although there have been changes in the way the Pantry acquires food, the supply chain has so far been adequate to handle the increase and Pantry volunteers are still able to serve clients twice per month. That means food and monetary donations from the community are still needed. Donations can be brought to the Pantry’s back “Donation” door during regular business hours.
Families struggling with keeping food on the table during the current crisis, even though in a temporary situation, may be eligible to receive food from the Pantry. They should call (908) 788-5568 for more information.
