FOOD FOR THOUGHT
….by Sue Colson, Cedar Key Food Pantry Director
April 5, 2020
THERMOMETERS
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Food Pantry Director and nurse Sue Colson and her volunteers provided and distributed to each of the 65 families the basic necessity…a thermometer. Further, Colson instructed each family in the importance of establishing a baseline temperature for each family ember and monitoring that temperature daily.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Food Pantry Director and nurse Sue Colson and her volunteers provided and distributed to each of the 65 families the basic necessity…a thermometer. Further, Colson instructed each family in the importance of establishing a baseline temperature for each family ember and monitoring that temperature daily.
SUPPLIERS
The Cedar Key Food Panty relies upon two suppliers: the Bread of the Mighty Food Bank in Gainesville and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The Cedar Key Food Panty relies upon two suppliers: the Bread of the Mighty Food Bank in Gainesville and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The Bread of the Mighty largely relies on goods received from grocery stores; the BoM sells those goods to places, such as the Cedar Key Food Pantry, at amazingly low prices. Now, during this pandemic, BoM’s stores are low; the organization has not been able to sell to the Pantry.
The USDA, thankfully, remains strong now. Its shipments remain constant.
Fresh vegetables, chicken, orange juice, trail mix, and a roll of toilet paper were among the supplies distributed this past Wednesday, April 1.
PREPACKAGING AND DISTRIBUTION
Grateful clients understand well the current COVID-19 status of things. Distancing themselves at least six feet apart, the distribution process functioned this week as it did last week, protecting both staff and clients.
Grateful clients understand well the current COVID-19 status of things. Distancing themselves at least six feet apart, the distribution process functioned this week as it did last week, protecting both staff and clients.
Preparation for the food delivery is the labor-intensive part of the Food Pantry’s activities now. Each family receives a prepackaged lot of food. Pantry volunteers and staff receive, open, and repackage, all food items so that the package can be placed in the client’s trunk. The pre-packaging fully occupies the Tuesday before each Wednesday distribution.
Last week, the local Dollar General donated the yellow plastic bags used for packaging.
NEEEDS FOR NOW
Colson says, “What we need now are plastic food container bags, both gallon and quart sizes.” The bags are used in repackaging larger volumes of food and other items into smaller units to distribute to individual families.
Colson says, “What we need now are plastic food container bags, both gallon and quart sizes.” The bags are used in repackaging larger volumes of food and other items into smaller units to distribute to individual families.
THANKS, THANKS
Food Pantry staff and volunteers thank its supporters. The space, the clients themselves, those who donate goods, those who donate dollars, and those who stay abreast of the Pantry’s needs. "We will continue to do what we do for as long as we can," says Colson. Thank you, thank you.
Food Pantry staff and volunteers thank its supporters. The space, the clients themselves, those who donate goods, those who donate dollars, and those who stay abreast of the Pantry’s needs. "We will continue to do what we do for as long as we can," says Colson. Thank you, thank you.
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