Update: September drive-up pantry dates are Tuesday, September 1 and 8, and Wednesday, September 2 and 9. Guests must have an appointment. Appointments can be set by calling 248-474-8231. Leave a message, including a good number to reach you, and someone will return your call to set your appointment.
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Update 4/11/2020: In response to the latest guidance from government and health care professionals, CARES will temporarily be obtaining all food for our drive-up pantry from local food banks and other authorized distributors. We are working to maintain the highest level of safely we can while continuing to address the increased need for food services. At this time, we will not be accepting food, personal care, or clothing donations. We are asking our friends to hold off on hosting collection drives for CARES until we are able to return to regular operations. We thank everyone for their understanding and will continue to update you as we adjust to the changing conditions in our community.
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We are experiencing a large volume of incoming calls at this difficult time. Please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.
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In an effort to keep guests, volunteers, and staff healthy and help reduce the spread of Coronavirus, CARES began operating as a drive-up food pantry on Tuesday, March 17. This allows us to continue to provide food services until it is considered safe to return to full operations.
New pantry hours are 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The cafe lunch program, clothing boutique, library, and all other CARES services are currently not operating, and we are not accepting any clothing donations until further notice. In addition, the CARES building will be closed to everyone except staff and volunteers working assigned shifts.
GUESTS
To receive services, guests should follow these instructions, which will allow CARES to assist everyone safely and efficiently while minimizing impact on the surrounding community.
- Guests must have an appointment. Anyone arriving without an appointment cannot be served. Appointments can be set by calling 248-474-8231 on Tuesday-Friday, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Guests can visit the CARES pantry once per month.
- Guests with a previously scheduled appointment do not need to call and should plan to arrive at their scheduled time. For Thursday or Saturday appointments, CARES will contact guests to reschedule.
- Pick up will be at the back (south) entrance of the main CARES building, near the corner of Colwell St. and Independence St. Follow the signs to the pick up driveway. Guests must arrive at their scheduled appointment on time in order to manage traffic flow.
- Guests will open their trunk and stay in their car. A volunteer will record the guest’s information while maintaining the recommended safe distance during these interactions in order to minimize person to person contact, per current guidelines. A volunteer will place pre-packed bags in the guest’s trunk and close it.
VOLUNTEERS
- Look for email from Lori for details or updates as we refine our process.
- Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your shift for announcements on any new developments.
- All volunteers will be expected to wash their hands frequently and wear gloves at all times, and any volunteer that appears ill will be asked to leave immediately.
DONATIONS
We are expecting an increase in the need for food in these next few weeks. If you can help, please consider donating to CARES. We are able to buy food from local food banks at cost below even discount stores, so your dollars will stretch further to feed our hungry neighbors. No donation is too small, it all helps. Use the PayPal link below to donate online or visit our Donate page for additional options.