Hamilton Food Share doubles efforts during novel coronavirus crisis

News Mar 18, 2020 by Mike Pearson Stoney Creek News

In the wake of growing concerns over the novel coronavirus, 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.

“The strain on the system is immense, but the system is still functioning,” said Santucci on Wednesday afternoon. “And it’s basically because of the commitment of the frontline staff in this hub to keep food moving.”

Hamilton Food Share works with several local social service organizations that collectively serve 13,000 people each month.

“We are actually bringing in twice as much food at the end of this week and we’re going to keep trying to get that done over the next couple of weeks,” Santucci said.

To adhere to social distancing guidelines, food banks have shortened intake processes. Many agencies are also distributing prepacked boxes or bags of food to minimize physical interaction with clients.

“Right now, we’re just into a wait-and-see approach and we’re adhering to all the restrictions. Our agencies are an unbelievable frontline of committed people. They will continue for as long as they can continue,” Santucci added.

Santucci acknowledged it’s possible some manufacturers may shut down due to COVID-19 concerns.

“But we have some suppliers that are really going above and beyond for us,” she said.

Santucci urges food bank clients to contact their local social service organization for any service adjustments during this uncertain time.

While supplies of toilet paper remain scarce, with many retailers imposing purchasing limits, Santucci said Food Share remains focused on food supplies.

Generally speaking, Santucci urges Hamiltonians to look out for each other.

“We’re a community that takes care of each other,” she said. “Look for the most vulnerable people around you and ask them if they need something. Ask them if you can help. If we keep a cool head and keep things moving, we’ll all be OK.”

Those with the ability to give are also urged to make a financial donation to food share at hamiltonfoodshare.com.

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

“We will stay open as long as we can, because we have people who really need the food,” Winter said March 22.

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. Clients may also receive goods in greater quantities to minimize the frequency of food bank visits.

The food bank is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is also still accepting donations.

The food bank has cancelled its previously scheduled tax preparation workshops, but it’s possible those sessions could be rescheduled at a later date, said Winter. Tax filing deadlines for individuals have been extended to June 1 in response to the novel coronavirus crisis.

Hamilton Food Share doubles efforts during novel coronavirus crisis

Stoney Creek Community Food Bank also remains open

News Mar 18, 2020 by Mike Pearson Stoney Creek News

In the wake of growing concerns over the novel coronavirus, 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.

“The strain on the system is immense, but the system is still functioning,” said Santucci on Wednesday afternoon. “And it’s basically because of the commitment of the frontline staff in this hub to keep food moving.”

Hamilton Food Share works with several local social service organizations that collectively serve 13,000 people each month.

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“We are actually bringing in twice as much food at the end of this week and we’re going to keep trying to get that done over the next couple of weeks,” Santucci said.

To adhere to social distancing guidelines, food banks have shortened intake processes. Many agencies are also distributing prepacked boxes or bags of food to minimize physical interaction with clients.

“Right now, we’re just into a wait-and-see approach and we’re adhering to all the restrictions. Our agencies are an unbelievable frontline of committed people. They will continue for as long as they can continue,” Santucci added.

Santucci acknowledged it’s possible some manufacturers may shut down due to COVID-19 concerns.

“But we have some suppliers that are really going above and beyond for us,” she said.

Santucci urges food bank clients to contact their local social service organization for any service adjustments during this uncertain time.

While supplies of toilet paper remain scarce, with many retailers imposing purchasing limits, Santucci said Food Share remains focused on food supplies.

Generally speaking, Santucci urges Hamiltonians to look out for each other.

“We’re a community that takes care of each other,” she said. “Look for the most vulnerable people around you and ask them if they need something. Ask them if you can help. If we keep a cool head and keep things moving, we’ll all be OK.”

Those with the ability to give are also urged to make a financial donation to food share at hamiltonfoodshare.com.

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

“We will stay open as long as we can, because we have people who really need the food,” Winter said March 22.

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. Clients may also receive goods in greater quantities to minimize the frequency of food bank visits.

The food bank is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is also still accepting donations.

The food bank has cancelled its previously scheduled tax preparation workshops, but it’s possible those sessions could be rescheduled at a later date, said Winter. Tax filing deadlines for individuals have been extended to June 1 in response to the novel coronavirus crisis.

Hamilton Food Share doubles efforts during novel coronavirus crisis

Stoney Creek Community Food Bank also remains open

News Mar 18, 2020 by Mike Pearson Stoney Creek News

In the wake of growing concerns over the novel coronavirus, 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.

“The strain on the system is immense, but the system is still functioning,” said Santucci on Wednesday afternoon. “And it’s basically because of the commitment of the frontline staff in this hub to keep food moving.”

Hamilton Food Share works with several local social service organizations that collectively serve 13,000 people each month.

Related Content

“We are actually bringing in twice as much food at the end of this week and we’re going to keep trying to get that done over the next couple of weeks,” Santucci said.

To adhere to social distancing guidelines, food banks have shortened intake processes. Many agencies are also distributing prepacked boxes or bags of food to minimize physical interaction with clients.

“Right now, we’re just into a wait-and-see approach and we’re adhering to all the restrictions. Our agencies are an unbelievable frontline of committed people. They will continue for as long as they can continue,” Santucci added.

Santucci acknowledged it’s possible some manufacturers may shut down due to COVID-19 concerns.

“But we have some suppliers that are really going above and beyond for us,” she said.

Santucci urges food bank clients to contact their local social service organization for any service adjustments during this uncertain time.

While supplies of toilet paper remain scarce, with many retailers imposing purchasing limits, Santucci said Food Share remains focused on food supplies.

Generally speaking, Santucci urges Hamiltonians to look out for each other.

“We’re a community that takes care of each other,” she said. “Look for the most vulnerable people around you and ask them if they need something. Ask them if you can help. If we keep a cool head and keep things moving, we’ll all be OK.”

Those with the ability to give are also urged to make a financial donation to food share at hamiltonfoodshare.com.

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

“We will stay open as long as we can, because we have people who really need the food,” Winter said March 22.

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. Clients may also receive goods in greater quantities to minimize the frequency of food bank visits.

The food bank is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is also still accepting donations.

The food bank has cancelled its previously scheduled tax preparation workshops, but it’s possible those sessions could be rescheduled at a later date, said Winter. Tax filing deadlines for individuals have been extended to June 1 in response to the novel coronavirus crisis.