Our Daily Bread returning to modified pre-COVID operations
Returning to client-choice model After operating for more than a year as a drive thru, Our Daily Bread Food Pantry is returning to a modified…
May 25, 2021
Returning to client-choice model
After operating for more than a year as a drive thru, Our Daily Bread Food Pantry is returning to a modified version of its pre-COVID distribution model, says Joe Seitz, program director. As of June 1, the pantry also is requiring appointments to insure the safety of clients and volunteers alike.
“We are still busy by pre-COVID numbers, but no longer as busy as we were by COVID numbers,” Joe says, noting that the pantry is still serving about 1,500 families a month.
With a lower infection rate in Sedgwick County, combined with rising vaccination levels and the relaxing of some COVID precautions, Joe says ODB is ready to safely reopen the doors to its building to clients.
Starting June 1, drive-thru closing
As of June 1, the pantry will close its drive-thru and clients will enter the pantry to select for themselves the food items that they want for their families. June 1 also marks a full return to all pre-COVID guidelines, including showing identification and visiting the pantry just one a month. Joe says many of these guidelines were loosened during the pandemic in order to efficiently help as many families as possible who came to the drive-thru.
In order to manage the number of people in the pantry at one time, clients will need to make an appointment to visit the pantry by calling (316) 262-8898. An appointment system allows the pantry to serve about 30 clients during a one-hour time block, helping manage the flow of people in both the check-in area and in the pantry itself. Those who come to the pantry without an appointment will wait while those with appointments shop in the pantry.
The pantry has been reset to accommodate people coming back into the building. A “one-way” layout has been put into place to help with social distancing. Volunteers will sanitize carts and social distancing will be practiced.
Beginning June 1, Our Daily Bread will again require:
- A fully completed application must be on file with the pantry.
- Head of household member must supply proof of identity for all persons listed on file.
- Head of household member must supply proof of address within the past 60 days.
- A completed proxy form to pick up for another household.
- Appointments for every day the pantry is open, including TEFAP food distribution days on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.
For an appointment to visit the pantry, please call: (316) 262-8898