FOOD CONNECTION AND COVID-19

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Currently we are continuing to operate with the best interests of our food donors, food recipient partners, volunteer drivers, employees, and AVL Ride drivers in mind. We are following all public safety recommendations from the CDC and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. 

FOR OUR FOOD RECIPIENT PARTNERS

Things are rapidly changing daily. Because of events being cancelled in advance and restaurant closures some of our food supply has been temporarily suspended. If you have an immediate need for food please contact us directly. 

Food safety is always our top priority. We’ve created a more in-depth safety check list below for our volunteers to continue  our high food handling standards.

We’ve been in touch with AVL Ride and volunteer coordinators regarding food handling. Our plan is to proceed with using our volunteer drivers and drivers from AVL Ride.

If you would feel more comfortable handling the food pickup from food donor partners directly, please notify us immediately, and we will do our best to put that process in place for you. 

We have been in touch with some of our larger food donor partners and will continue to monitor how the COVID-19 virus is affecting their operations. If the universities or conference centers limit their offerings or close temporarily, much of our food supply will be reduced or stop for a time, as well. 

Please plan ahead as best you can for alternate food sources during this time. If you have an emergency and think we could help, please contact the Food Connection Hotline at 828-407-0353.

SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR VOLUNTEERS

1. If you’re sick or recovering from a fever, stay home!  And when in doubt, stay home. 
2. If you need to stay home, notify us that you need to cancel your shift. 
3. If it hasn’t been canceled and you’re not sick, make sure to show up! 
4. Follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s steps to prevent illness. In general, those include washing your hands often and avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
5. No person who has traveled internationally within the last 14 days or any person experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 will be allowed to be a part of our food distribution process until further notice. Please see: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
6. Practice social distancing. We are working hard to make adjustments in how food is distributed to minimize exposure and adjust processes that previously required close contact.  As those procedures are solidified, we will contact you and post them here.
7. If you know of others willing to volunteer, please contact us.

We will continue to stay in close contact with our staff and volunteers as the situation evolves and we know more. If you need to get in touch with us, call Food Connection Hotline at 828-407-0353.