As an essential service agency, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle will continue operation under Wake County Board of Commissioners Chair Greg Ford’s recent order for Wake County residents to “stay at home”. The Food Shuttle will continue its emergency response programs to feed families, children and seniors affected by COVID-19. We expect the demand for our services to skyrocket as more families find themselves without a paycheck. The food provided by the Food Shuttle may be their only lifeline.
Nation Hahn, Chief Growth Officer at EdNC.org and Inter-Faith Food Shuttle Board Member shares, "economic downturns always hit our most vulnerable populations first. Economic downturns this sudden, paired with a public health crisis, creates an unprecedented need for organizations such as Inter-Faith Food Shuttle to meet immediate, emergency needs for families across our service region. The work of food banks will always be vital, but in moments such as this the work is essential to the daily lives of tens of thousands of our neighbors."
With this new order, sourcing non-perishable food donations from our community will be more difficult, leaving the Food Shuttle to rely on hard-to-come-by purchased product, which increases our expenses. We are asking our business community to donate what they can during this time and encouraging individuals to contribute financially, allowing us the flexibility to purchase necessarily food items. Donations can be made at www.FoodShuttle.org/Donate and donated product can be delivered to Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, 1001 Blair Drive, Raleigh, NC 27603, Monday through Friday between 8am-3pm and Saturdays 8am to 12pm. For a pick-up, please contact Heidi Kruger at Heidi@FoodShuttle.org or call 919-390-1957
“In less than two weeks, over 1,200 individuals have stepped up in response to COVID-19 to give generously and dozens of businesses have lent their product, staff, and financial support. We are beyond grateful. But the need is still growing and we are more reliant than ever on the community to help continue to fund our critical initiatives. As an essential business, we will be here for families in need, working collaboratively with whoever we can, to get food to those who need it,” said Bethann James, Interim CEO/President of Inter-Faith Food Shuttle.
The health and safety of our staff is a top priority. Beginning Monday, March 30, all staff will receive a temperature and respiratory check by a health professional each day. Staff members will continue to observe recommended safety precautions such as frequent hand washing, wiping down surfaces, and social distancing with ample access to cleaning supplies for personal and working space use.
Andrea Breazeale-King, Vice President of Human Resources for Inter-Faith Food Shuttle stated to staff, “Our goal is to continue providing services to community members who rely on the Food Shuttle for the most basic of needs, food. We are taking the position that all staff are essential staff. While in the office we continue to practice CDC guidelines with hygiene and social distancing. Any staff member who is ill or experiencing respiratory or viral symptoms is directed not to report to work. Similarly, employees who are well but who have a sick family member at home are encouraged to stay home.”
With the suspension of the volunteers we rely on, staff have moved into sorting, packing, and delivering emergency food boxes, Grocery Bags for Seniors and blast-frozen meals for children affected by school closures. Staff are working in groups of no more than five, adhering to Governor Cooper’s recommendation of 6 ft. spacing between individuals.
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle’s distribution is increasing almost daily, with more meal delivery sites added to meet the growing demand. As of Thursday, March 26, over 1,200 meals and emergency boxes will be delivered on Friday, March 27 to locations identified as high-need communities in Wake and Durham counties.