NORTH ADAMS -- The Al Nelson Friendship Center Food Pantry announces changes to its operations starting Wednesday, July 14.
Nearly 16 months after we drastically changed our operating procedures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are happy to start making major changes to return to a new normal in which our pantry friends will have more options.
Our Wednesday hours will stay the same, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sign-ins now will take place at the Eagle Street Room of the First Baptist Church of North Adams (enter through door on lower Eagle Street side of the church).
We will no longer sign-in people at the food pantry.
Vaccinated people will not need to wear masks in the Eagle Street Room, though we ask that the un-vaccinated do so. In addition to signing in at the Eagle Street Room, members will also be able to fill out a form to indicate what foods and other items they want at the food pantry.
No services or refreshments will be available at the Eagle Street Room at this time. We wish to keep crowding to a minimum and enable people to move quickly down to the Food Pantry at 45 Eagle Street.
At 45 Eagle St., the Al Nelson Friendship Center, we will let up to four individuals come in at one time, to present their item list, select produce and breads and have their order filled. Again, we ask that those who have not been vaccinated wear masks.
We no longer have a waiting area in the food pantry, as this space is taken up by prepared food boxes for delivery. People will not be able to wait for rides inside the Friendship Center.
Our program to give people rides home with their groceries will return. Members will still have to come to the food pantry first. Mask policy: All riders and drivers in the rides home program must wear masks during their ride. No exceptions. We will provide masks for those who do not have one.
Our Thursday deliveries program will remain the same. This is for shut-ins and people who have no transportation or otherwise cannot make it to the food pantry on Wednesdays between 10 and 2. Call on Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for a delivery on Thursday. Number: 413-664-0123.
Deliveries are made on Thursdays between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Food choice will not be possible with deliveries due to the volume of calls we receive.
We thank everyone for their great cooperation during the pandemic. Please bear with us as we happily transition to operating procedures that provide more choice and interaction.
The Al Nelson Friendship Center Food Pantry is a program of the Northern Berkshire Interfaith Action Initiative Inc. The NBIAI, founded in 2010, is “a group of people of different faiths and denominations, working with others of goodwill, to serve our community.”
Our food pantry, founded in 2011, serves families in North Adams, Clarksburg and Florida Mountain. Households are eligible to receive food every two weeks.
We are an all-volunteer organization.
For more information, visit our website: https://friendshipfoodpantry.
- Mark Rondeau
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