Last updated on April 7 at 5:46 p.m. Please note: While we endeavour to ensure that all the information below is correct, some of it may have changed since it was first published. Please email Laura Lennie. 

Local social service operations in Ancaster, Dundas, Hamilton Mountain and Stoney Creek remain operational as of March 23, with some organizational changes in effect to accommodate social distancing.

Food bank services continue

Hamilton’s main food bank hub is doubling efforts to keep the shelves stocked.

Joanne Santucci, executive director of Hamilton Food Share, said supplies are flowing in, with a goal to help local food banks provide two weeks of supplies to clients.

Meanwhile, Stoney Creek Community Food Bank manager Ben Winter confirmed the food bank in the Saltfleet Community Centre at 605 Hwy. 8 is open for its regularly scheduled hours.

To maintain social distancing, staff will serve clients at the door and special precautions will be taken to sterilize surfaces and objects like shopping carts.

The Stoney Creek Community Food Bank is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is also still accepting donations.

The COVID-19 virus is affecting operations at Neighbour to Neighbour Centre and the Hamilton Community Food Centre.

The food bank at the Athens Street centre remains open Monday to Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and on Thursdays from 12:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Some 1,200 Mountain families each month use the food bank.

At the Community Food Centre on Limeridge Road West, the Wednesday 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. breakfast, Thursday 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. dinner and Friday 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. lunch is still being served.

The Saturday 10:30 a.m. to noon low-cost fresh produce market at the CFC will also continue to operate.

All other programs at both locations are postponed until further notice.

See n2ncentre.com for updates.

It’s still safe to give blood, says Canadian Blood Services

Canadian Blood Services urges all donors to book and keep their appointments to prevent shortages.

The organization has a blood donation centre at 35 Stone Church Rd., Ancaster.

Donating blood in Canada continues to be safe, the organization notes on its website. Robust cleaning and infection-control practices are in effect to protect all donors, staff and volunteers. All prospective donors are also carefully screened for any symptoms of illness, including very mild ones.

Additional safety measures that took effect March 16 include the following:

• Anyone asked by public health to place themselves under observation or self-quarantine are not allowed to donate for 14 days from the date of their last contact with a case or suspected case of COVID-19;

• Anyone with a case or suspected case in their household cannot donate for 14 days after the infected person’s recovery;

• Anyone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 are not allowed to donate for 56 days after full recovery from the infection.