Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Flamborough’s food banks are committed to continually serving their clients, many of whom cannot afford to stockpile food, toilet paper and personal hygiene products, among other everyday items.
“We’re just trying to make sure that vulnerable people who need access to food will have it, but in as safe a way as possible,” said Rev. Sue-Ann Ward of the Food with Grace, which operates out of Waterdown’s Grace Anglican Church. “I know it’s a scary time for everybody, but my prayer is that people in our community continue to be generous.”
As of March 16, there were 10 positive cases of COVID-19 in Hamilton. Most of the city’s municipal facilities have closed in an effort to corral the spread of the novel coronavirus and Ontario schools are shut down until April 5.
While Food with Grace will continue to provide food and supplies to those in need, it has decided to change the way food is distributed in ensure the health and safety of volunteers and clients.
“Instead of allowing our neighbours to enter the building to choose food items, pre-made bags of food will be handed out to neighbours just outside the entrance door,” said Ward. “Every effort will be made to provide a variety of nutritious food items to each family.”
The Flamborough Food Bank, which operates out of Carlisle United Church, is determined to stay open and serve the community. However, some changes to the not-for-profit organization’s distribution and food pick-up processes may be required, explained Jim Leamen, the food bank’s managing director.
While he couldn’t comment publicly, he said changes will be logical given the unusual and unprecedented situation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“For example, trying to keep people out of a confined space as much as possible we’ll practise some social distancing,” he said.
With shelves at local grocery stores running bare after shoppers flocked to stock up on food and supplies, Leamen stressed the importance of the food bank’s role in the community.
“It’s really hard for people — families that are low income — already to get the things that they really need, and now people are almost making it that much harder by clearing the stores out,” he said. “I think it’s even more important for us to be open.”
Health Canada recommended that people have 14 days worth of essentials in case they needed to self-isolate or go into quarantine.
“That’s not possible for low income people to do,” said Leamen.
So the Flamborough Food Bank came up with a creative solution. Prepackaged bags of donated food are typically broken down with their contents used to stock the shelves at the food bank. Instead, Flamborough Food Bank clients will each receive two of these bags containing staples in addition to the food they collect on their regular visit.
In Waterdown, Ward is committed to making sure Food with Grace clients “get what they need.”
To see that happen, the community has a part to play.
“I’m really hoping that people continue to be generous, continue to remember that the most vulnerable in our community need extra help at this time.”
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Flamborough’s food banks are committed to continually serving their clients, many of whom cannot afford to stockpile food, toilet paper and personal hygiene products, among other everyday items.
“We’re just trying to make sure that vulnerable people who need access to food will have it, but in as safe a way as possible,” said Rev. Sue-Ann Ward of the Food with Grace, which operates out of Waterdown’s Grace Anglican Church. “I know it’s a scary time for everybody, but my prayer is that people in our community continue to be generous.”
As of March 16, there were 10 positive cases of COVID-19 in Hamilton. Most of the city’s municipal facilities have closed in an effort to corral the spread of the novel coronavirus and Ontario schools are shut down until April 5.
While Food with Grace will continue to provide food and supplies to those in need, it has decided to change the way food is distributed in ensure the health and safety of volunteers and clients.
“Instead of allowing our neighbours to enter the building to choose food items, pre-made bags of food will be handed out to neighbours just outside the entrance door,” said Ward. “Every effort will be made to provide a variety of nutritious food items to each family.”
The Flamborough Food Bank, which operates out of Carlisle United Church, is determined to stay open and serve the community. However, some changes to the not-for-profit organization’s distribution and food pick-up processes may be required, explained Jim Leamen, the food bank’s managing director.
While he couldn’t comment publicly, he said changes will be logical given the unusual and unprecedented situation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“For example, trying to keep people out of a confined space as much as possible we’ll practise some social distancing,” he said.
With shelves at local grocery stores running bare after shoppers flocked to stock up on food and supplies, Leamen stressed the importance of the food bank’s role in the community.
“It’s really hard for people — families that are low income — already to get the things that they really need, and now people are almost making it that much harder by clearing the stores out,” he said. “I think it’s even more important for us to be open.”
Health Canada recommended that people have 14 days worth of essentials in case they needed to self-isolate or go into quarantine.
“That’s not possible for low income people to do,” said Leamen.
So the Flamborough Food Bank came up with a creative solution. Prepackaged bags of donated food are typically broken down with their contents used to stock the shelves at the food bank. Instead, Flamborough Food Bank clients will each receive two of these bags containing staples in addition to the food they collect on their regular visit.
In Waterdown, Ward is committed to making sure Food with Grace clients “get what they need.”
To see that happen, the community has a part to play.
“I’m really hoping that people continue to be generous, continue to remember that the most vulnerable in our community need extra help at this time.”
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Flamborough’s food banks are committed to continually serving their clients, many of whom cannot afford to stockpile food, toilet paper and personal hygiene products, among other everyday items.
“We’re just trying to make sure that vulnerable people who need access to food will have it, but in as safe a way as possible,” said Rev. Sue-Ann Ward of the Food with Grace, which operates out of Waterdown’s Grace Anglican Church. “I know it’s a scary time for everybody, but my prayer is that people in our community continue to be generous.”
As of March 16, there were 10 positive cases of COVID-19 in Hamilton. Most of the city’s municipal facilities have closed in an effort to corral the spread of the novel coronavirus and Ontario schools are shut down until April 5.
While Food with Grace will continue to provide food and supplies to those in need, it has decided to change the way food is distributed in ensure the health and safety of volunteers and clients.
“Instead of allowing our neighbours to enter the building to choose food items, pre-made bags of food will be handed out to neighbours just outside the entrance door,” said Ward. “Every effort will be made to provide a variety of nutritious food items to each family.”
The Flamborough Food Bank, which operates out of Carlisle United Church, is determined to stay open and serve the community. However, some changes to the not-for-profit organization’s distribution and food pick-up processes may be required, explained Jim Leamen, the food bank’s managing director.
While he couldn’t comment publicly, he said changes will be logical given the unusual and unprecedented situation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“For example, trying to keep people out of a confined space as much as possible we’ll practise some social distancing,” he said.
With shelves at local grocery stores running bare after shoppers flocked to stock up on food and supplies, Leamen stressed the importance of the food bank’s role in the community.
“It’s really hard for people — families that are low income — already to get the things that they really need, and now people are almost making it that much harder by clearing the stores out,” he said. “I think it’s even more important for us to be open.”
Health Canada recommended that people have 14 days worth of essentials in case they needed to self-isolate or go into quarantine.
“That’s not possible for low income people to do,” said Leamen.
So the Flamborough Food Bank came up with a creative solution. Prepackaged bags of donated food are typically broken down with their contents used to stock the shelves at the food bank. Instead, Flamborough Food Bank clients will each receive two of these bags containing staples in addition to the food they collect on their regular visit.
In Waterdown, Ward is committed to making sure Food with Grace clients “get what they need.”
To see that happen, the community has a part to play.
“I’m really hoping that people continue to be generous, continue to remember that the most vulnerable in our community need extra help at this time.”