The Lord’s Bounty Food Bank plans on distributing their bounty as long as possible during the time of COVID-19.
Pending any changes in public rules or policy, the food bank will remain open during the outbreak to distribute food and vital household goods to anyone in need in the Flin Flon area.
“As things arise, we will address them as need be. If we have to pre-package everything and hand it out the door, that’s what we’ll do. We’ll all be here and we’ll just be safe,” said Alison Dallas-Funk, food bank director.
The food bank, which will allow recipients to come in once per month indefinitely, will continue to stay open as long as possible, depending on public health conditions and how supplies hold out.
“We really believe in keeping this open and we are open the same hours. We’re limiting the number of people in at a time, so only two people can come in at a time and there’s a time limit of 10 minutes. We have minimal volunteers in the building, we’re trying to take precautions,” Dallas-Funk said.
“We’re an essential service. We can’t close. People need to eat, regardless. We need to ensure they’re safe and we’re safe, as best as we can.”
The food bank will also distribute some dry goods, including that ever-valuable of post-COVID-19 outbreak commodities - toilet paper.
Anyone who panic-bought goods at the outset of the COVID-19 outbreak - including toiletries, canned food and others - can donate any extras to the food bank. Dallas-Funk said those donations could prove valuable, depending on how the disease presents itself.
“We have a lot of toothpaste, but things like shampoo and conditioner, those are things that people won’t buy. If you have to buy a $4.50 jug of milk, you’re not going to spend $4.50 on other things like feminine hygiene products,” she said.
The change in public health could impact some food bank volunteers. Dallas-Funk has had multiple sclerosis for more than two decades. Last year, she went to Mexico for a stem cell transplant to treat the illness. She said she would count as an immune-compromised person - someone who has an especially high health risk if they come in contact with COVID-19.
Nonetheless, she is not planning on stopping. Neither are other members of the donation-driven group, based out of the former St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church on Hiawatha Avenue near Ruth Betts Community School.
“It’s really important for people to self-quarantine, to take precautions,” she said.
“Nobody would know that I’m sick.”
COVID-19 has changed at least some plans for the food bank. Some planned public events, including an ID clinic and a tax clinic, have been postponed - not cancelled - until after the disease is brought to heel.
Donations to the food bank can be accepted Tuesdays from 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesdays from 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Friday from 9 a.m.-10 a.m. or by appointment through the food bank’s Facebook page.
