We will be updating our procedure before Tuesday Open Hours.
Foodshelf overview: The Putney Foodshelf is in direct communication and working to collaborate with the Town of Putney, Putney Central School, Putney Community Cares, Hunger Council of the Windham Region, Vermont Foodbank, among others. We are staying engaged with all these partners so we can coordinate and work together as things evolve. At the same time, we are aware that we need to work within our bounds. We have a unique role to play and limits to our resources. We do not want to overstretch ourselves or work redundantly. We expect more clarity on this to unfold in the coming weeks.
A Foodshelf team of people is thinking carefully about how to proceed. Hannah, our executive director, is working closely with board member Paul Renouf, a former oil spills manager who is providing invaluable help in thinking through emergency preparedness and safe practices, along with the rest of the Board and Christine Couturier, MD who brings her medical background and skillful systems thinking. Immense gratitude for the time and intelligence they are devoting to the Foodshelf right now, in service of our community.
In the coming weeks we will adapt our way of serving people as needed, with the intent to continue to support our community as a food resource.
Open Hours: The Foodshelf continues to be open as usual with additional safety precautions. This includes: hand washing before shopping, a time-lag of space between shoppers, providing 6 feet of space between chairs in the waiting room, and using a new no-contact system instead of chips and data forms. Anyone showing up to the Foodshelf who is sick is being asked to return to their car. We will pack them a box of staple foods and request they call 2-1-1 for future access to food. (2-1-1 will connect people from any town to their local services.)
