Update as of May 11th, 2020:
Guelph Food Bank will be cancelling all annual Garage Sale & Silent Auction fundraisers until further notice due to COVID-19.
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At the Guelph Food Bank, our priority is those in our community who are food insecure, as well as our volunteers, donors, and our staff. We are committed to being proactive and responsible in responding to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.
We continue to monitor updates made by WDG Public Health and Public Health Ontario experts and will strictly adhere to the recommendations shared by these experts by continuously evaluating and assessing procedures. We will communicate any alterations/changes to our services HERE and on Facebook.
In addition, we are taking the following precautionary steps:
- Implementing a limit to the number of visits clients can make to once per month for 2-3 and 4+ families and twice per month for singles.
- All clients, volunteers, and donors must enter from the front entrance at 100 Crimea St., where there will be signage in place to encourage use of hand sanitizer immediately upon entry. Hand sanitizer has been made available throughout the building.
- Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting measures across all public areas. Regular disinfecting of high-traffic and frequently touched surfaces.
- Visible signage throughout the building reminding people of preventative best practices such as regular hand washing, using hand sanitizer, and covering coughs properly.
- The use of gloves will be enforced while handling food and incoming donations.
- *UPDATE* GFB is now moving back to a hamper model program temporarily in order to control the number of people in, improve process efficiency, and ensure an ability to maintain a six foot distance between clients at any given time. Clients will be given the choice between a regular, vegetarian, diabetic, or gluten free hamper.
We ask that anyone with two or more symptoms (fever, cough, or difficulty breathing) or that have travelled on a cruise ship or outside of Canada in the past 14 days refrain from entering the premises so as to ensure the safety of our clients, volunteers, and staff and to ensure our ability to keep our doors open as long as possible.
Our team at the Guelph Food Bank is also developing next stage operation changes that could be implemented during this evolving situation. Each of those stages of change is designed to fulfill our obligation to support those most vulnerable while balancing our duty of care to those implementing the mission.
During this challenging time, we would like to thank you for your faithful support as we do everything possible towards the goal of providing uninterrupted service to those experiencing poverty.
As we expect an increase in numbers over the next couple months due to this ongoing crisis, we appreciate any donations you can make towards assisting in our continued operations – especially as we head into our Spring Food Drive. Donations can be made online HERE, or at our main office located at 100 Crimea Street.
