Just one day before Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf ordered all schools shutdown and social distancing guidelines were announced, members of the SEOM team volunteered at the Emergency Relief Association Food Pantry of Lower Bucks County, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing nourishment and assistance to all those in need throughout our area.
Back in 2009, the ERA Food Pantry provided meals for just over 12,000 people; and by 2015, that number grew to more than 22,000. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the need is even greater.
Donating Goods & Time
We started by collecting donations in the form of canned goods, snacks, and personal care items, ensuring we covered each item on their wish list. Our team split into two shifts and each spent an hour at the pantry where we organized, stocked, and sorted goods. The pantry typically feeds over 125 families per week, so it is important that they remain organized.
The food pantry is still accepting donations, and to protect the community they serve, they are letting donated goods sit for at least three days to reduce the spread of germs. They are also utilizing curbside pickup procedures, where families wait outside to limit the personal contact.
Takeaways
Although we had this community service event on the calendar for weeks, the timing of our trip wound up being critical to help the food pantry prepare to serve the community through this novel coronavirus pandemic. During tough times, it’s more important than ever that we come together as a community and are kind to one another. To find a food pantry near you, visit feedingamerica.org
March 16, 2020