Covid-19 Protocols

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August 29, 2020

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.

Plymouth Community Food Pantry

Operational Procedures During

SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 Crisis

Phase 5, Version 1.6 – June 6, 2022

The following shopping options will be offered to clients:

Choice A: Continue curbside pick-up as currently being conducted under Phase 4

Curbside Guidelines. All clients selecting Choice A will:

schedule an appointment for pick-up (10-minute intervals)
have a volunteer shop for them
wearing a facemask in the building is optional
practice social distancing, a 6 ft. distance will always be maintained between people
enter the building to pick up their order, bring their groceries outside to their car, and return the carriage to the Pantry
have on file ‘A Promise to Keep the Plymouth Community Food Pantry Covid-Free’ or sign a new copy
remain in their car if the Pantry is at full capacity, volunteer will call them in when there is room available

Choice B: The client, guided by a volunteer, will enter the building to shop for themselves.

Shopping All clients selecting Choice B will:

schedule an appointment (10-minute intervals)
wearing a facemask in the building is optional
practice social distancing, a 6 ft. distance will always be maintained between people
shop like we have done in the past, accompanied by a volunteer
have their carriage placed on the scale by a volunteer, bring their groceries outside to their car, and return the carriage to the Pantry
have on file ‘A Promise to Keep the Plymouth Community Food Pantry Covid-Free’ or sign a new copy
remain in their car if the Pantry is at full capacity, a volunteer will call them in when there is room available

Choice C: Delivery Clients who are homebound will have their order delivered to their home. The delivery person will call in advance to notify the client of the approximate time of delivery. Deliveries will occur on Monday and Friday. There must be a clear and safe path to the drop off point. If not, the delivery person will leave the order at the end of the safest access point or bring the food back to the Pantry and other arrangements will have to be made. Each client will have on file ‘A Promise to Keep the Plymouth Community Food Pantry Covid-Free’ or sign a new copy

Food Pantry Staff

The staff has been successfully following the guidelines below since September 1, 2020. All staff will continue to:

monitor their health daily prior to arriving at the Food Pantry
will not enter the building if they are experiencing Covid symptoms
wearing a facemask while in the building is optional
wash or sanitize hands frequently
practice social distancing (6 ft. apart each other)
regularly disinfect the distribution table, carriages, and commonly touched surfaces

Escorting Shoppers

Volunteers will escort shoppers by stationing themselves at the front of the shopping carriage while the shopper is stationed at the rear of the carriage
Volunteers will maintain a 6 ft. distance between themselves and the shopper, who will push the carriage in front of them
Produce Clerk will bag the fruits and vegetables of shopper’s choice
Volunteers will retrieve the shopper’s items of choice from the refrigerator and freezer
Volunteer will place carriages on and off the scale
Volunteer will escort shopper and carriage to exit
Volunteer will sanitize the shopping cart between users

Facility

Restricted number of people in the Food Pantry, 75% (18)
Signage and floor markers to promote social distancing and positive flow (one-way traffic)
Hand Sanitizer Stations
Carriages will be returned to entry door

Clients & Visitors

To enter the building

Clients MUST have an appointment to shop (10-minute intervals) or have business to conduct with the Director
Wearing a facemask in the building is optional
Clients will not enter the building if they are experiencing Covid symptoms

The Director reserves the right to:
- Identify shoppers as high-risk and exclude them from self-shopping
- 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.