The Elliot Lake Emergency Food Bank is taking new precautions in the wake of the health threat created by the global emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It has adopted new procedures with a view to protecting the health of staff, clients and volunteers at its newly-converted facility on Philip Walk in downtown Elliot Lake.
All prescribed health regimens including proper hand washing and use of sanitizers are being employed.
As well, work areas are being sanitized, gloves are being worn, and close contact between people at the food bank is being avoided to provide proper social spacing.
There are also restrictions on the number of people being allowed into the building to two clients at one time. Food is being pre-bagged based on household size.
In so doing, food bank officials have eliminated the need for an intake coordinator and the use of a clipboard and pens previously used to sign out and record orders.
The simplified operating procedures have also cut down on the number of volunteers required on site.
With the possibility that COVID-19 might be on the landscape in Elliot Lake for some time, food bank officials expect the emergence of community financial impacts that would generate an expanded need for their services.
In fact, there has already been an increase in the food bank client base as more local applicants have sought support.
If you can help out financially, the Elliot Lake Emergency Food Bank can use cash donations which pay for bulk food purchases allowing them to cut their operating costs. That way, they can do more with less.
You can make money gifts or make e-transfers payable to the Elliot Lake Emergency Food Bank via their account at the city's TD Bank branch, which is [email protected].
The food bank is a registered charity and and tax receipts will be issued for all donations for donors after they provide their contact information.
Last year, Elliot Lake City Council agreed to transfer the new home of the food bank to the organization for a nominal fee of $2. That happened on Dec. 9, 2019.
The building, with a street address on Ontario Avenue, is the former Knights of Columbus home and wound up in the city's possession after a failed tax sale in 2018.
In his report to council on the subject, City CAO Daniel Gagnon said, "The Elliot Lake Food Bank is seeking a new home and discussions surrounding the potential of this building have proved promising."
He noted the city committed a $10,000 annual contribution to the Emergency Food Bank for three years, back in 2018.
"The food bank is committed to the renovations needed on the interior to make the building functional for their needs. They are prepared to fundraise or otherwise secure the funds needed without any additional city funding," Gagnon said.