Covid-19 Protocols

The Plymouth Community Food Pantry is currently operating under Covid-19 guidelines as set by the CDC and the State of Connecticut.  This page identifies the protocols we are following. 

CLIENT PROTOCOLS

Curbside Pickup:  To pick-up their order clients will:

• call to schedule an appointment for pick-up (15-minute intervals), at this time they will be asked if they have any special needs to be met        and every effort to accommodate them will be made
• have a volunteer shop for them based on the size of their family
• wait in their car upon arrival at the Food Pantry until called by volunteer to the table set up in front of the Food Pantry door
• remain on the parking lot side of the plexiglass
• wear a face mask (if necessary, we will provide a mask) and sanitize their hands before signing any paperwork
• sign ‘A Promise to Keep the Plymouth Community Food Pantry Covid-Free’ 
• take their carriage of food, after all paperwork is completed, to their car and return the carriage to the pickup table
• not enter the building unless requested to do so and in such cases follow the protocols listed below for visitors

Client Shopping:  Clients electing to shop for themselves will: 

• call to schedule an appointment to shop (15-minute intervals)
• wait in their car until called by a Food Pantry volunteer (only one shopper per family)
• have their temperature scanned, (anyone with a reading of 100.4° F or greater will be required to leave the building immediately,                   a volunteer would shop for them)
• answer a series of Covid-19 symptom-related questions (see Forms Tab) (anyone showing multiple symptoms will be required to                      leave the building immediately, a volunteer would shop for them)
• sign ‘A Promise to Keep the Plymouth Community Food Pantry Covid-Free’ 
• sanitize their hands
• wear a face mask while in the building (we will provide one if necessary)
• wear gloves until their carriage is returned (we will provide a pair if necessary)
• shop like we have done in the past, accompanied by a volunteer
• practice social distancing, a 6 ft. distance will always be maintained between people
• have their carriage placed on the scale by a volunteer, brought outside, and take their groceries to their car
• return the carriage to the doors of the pantry, but not reenter

Delivery: Clients who are housebound will:

• call to schedule a delivery for drop-off, at this time they will be asked if they have any special needs to be met and every effort to                            accommodate them will be made
• sign ‘A Promise to Keep the Plymouth Community Food Pantry Covid-Free’ 

STAFF PROTOCOLS

All staff will:

• monitor their health daily prior to arriving at the Food Pantry by completing the Apple COVID-19 Questionnaire                                                             https://www.apple.com/covid19/
• have their temperature scanned upon arrival to the Food Pantry; anyone with a reading of 100.4° F or greater will be required to leave the          building immediately
• sign ‘A Promise to Keep the Plymouth Community Food Pantry Covid-Free’ 
• sign in, attesting that they have self-monitored for the day and currently are Covid-19 symptom free
• properly wear a face mask while in the building (should fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face, positioned to cover the                  nose,  mouth, and chin with secure straps around ears)
• wash hands before putting face mask on or taking it off
• avoid touching mask
• wear gloves while in the building and change them frequently, MUST wear a new pair of gloves with each new shopper
• clean hands frequently
• practice social distancing (6 ft. apart each other)
• regularly disinfect the distribution table, carriages, and commonly touched surfaces within the Food Pantry premises

ESCORTING OF SHOPPERS

Volunteers will:

• escort shoppers by stationing themselves at either the front or rear of the shopping carriage while the shopper is stationed at the                        opposite end of the carriage
• maintain a 6 ft. distance between themselves and the shopper
• bag the fruits and vegetables of shopper’s choice
• bag refrigerated and frozen items of shopper’s choice
• place carriages on and off the scale
• escort shopper and carriage to exit
• collect the shopping carriage and sanitize it between uses

Facility

• Four Protective Areas, each shielded by plexiglass
  • Sign in desk
  • Fruit & vegetable table
  • Weigh station
  • Directors desk
• Restricted number of people in the Food Pantry, 50% (12) per Fire Marshal
• Shoppers will remain in their car until they are called by a volunteer
• The double doors will be used to enter and exit
• Signage and floor markers (6 ft. spacing) to promote social distancing and positive flow (one-way direction)
• Table outside the doors is where client’s temperature will be checked, and health related questions asked
• Hand Sanitizer Stations
• Carriages will be returned to the cement pad (volunteer will sanitize and bring them inside)

VISITORS

Visitors MUST:

• have temperature scanned (anyone with a reading of 100.4° F or greater will be required to leave the building immediately)
• answer series of Covid-19 symptom-related questions (anyone showing multiple symptoms will be required to leave the building                        immediately)
• sign ‘A Promise to Keep the Plymouth Community Food Pantry Covid-Free’ 
• wear a face mask while in the building (we will provide one if necessary)
• sanitize hands

The Director reserves the right to:

• Identify shoppers or visitors as high-risk and exclude them from entering the building 
• Determine whether a client should have a volunteer shop for them and pick up their order curbside or have it delivered.
• Refuse entry into the building to any client or visitor who is not in compliance with the protocols as stated in this document.