Al's Outreach Outtakes

How many times since March have you heard “Things will be a little (a lot) different this year”? Personally, I have lost track not only of how many times I have heard it, but how many times I have said it.

Unfortunately, I need to say it again: when it comes to the way we provide assistance at Thanksgiving and Christmas, 2020 will be different than any we have done before. Honestly, I do not yet know exactly what it is going to look like. I do know that the collecting of food and gifts the way we have always done it are out. Not only would it be difficult to ensure social distancing in the various phases of collection, repackaging and distribution, but the different spaces that are used have been repurposed.

Believe it or not, the little garage space that is attached to the Food Closet is the main area used for all of the Thanksgiving production efforts. Collection, storage, repack, and distribution, including turkeys, are all done there. Tight but functional! This year, that same space is already serving full time as our daily distribution center. Since no one can come inside, we bring the food outside and that’s one of the places we do it.
 
With no safe and reasonable way to have a Giving Tree and no safe and reasonable way to accept, sort, and store the gifts, that will change as well. Various ideas are being discussed, but none of them look like 2019 and before.
 
This week I will be reaching out to some of the various organizations we have supported in the past to see what is different for them; how might we be able to support their needs, but in a different manner. I suspect the picture will become more clear when I do. As I learn more from them I will share the updates with you. One thing I do know already: it will be different!