United Group Insurance

Atlantic Food Pantry Information During the Covid-19 Epidemic

News

March 23rd, 2020 by Ric Hanson

General Information

Referrals: Referral notes are required except for senior citizens (55yrs) and those on Social Security Disability. They can be obtained from West Central Community Action (712) 243-5421, Cass County General Assistance at the Courthouse  (712) 243-4424, a church, or medical provider. Please call them first for instructions on how to receive the referral.

  • Phone: (712)243-5019 (9 – 11 AM Mondays and Thursdays)
  • Address: 19 W. 4th St., Atlantic, IA 50022
  • Hours: Thursdays, 1:00pm – 2:00 pm (or until line ends – please come to the pantry at 1:00 pm)

Food Distribution

The Atlantic Food Pantry will be taking the following precautions to prevent the possible spread of illness that might affect our clients, their families, or our volunteers:

– The pantry’s usual choice options and individual face-to-face interviews will be discontinued at this time. Food will be distributed in an “express” fashion with sacks pre-prepared inside the pantry to limit wait time and reduce traffic inside the pantry building. Distribution to clients will occur outside the front door of the pantry. Only pantry volunteers will be allowed inside the pantry

– Clients will be given hand sanitizing gel before handling food donation items and be urged to keep separation between themselves in the line.

– All volunteers will use disposable food handling gloves and practice good hygiene behavior including good handwashing and/or use of hand sanitizer.

– Frequently touched surfaces (table tops, doorknobs and rails, handles, desks, phones, toilets, faucets, etc.) will be cleaned and sanitized more frequently – before and after the pantry, and other times as needed.

– Pantry volunteers who exhibit symptoms or who have been exposed to someone with fever, cough, shortness of breath, or difficult breathing will be asked to stay home and contact their health care provider. Clients who present with such symptoms will be asked to return home and seek medical attention.

Donation Suggestions

As always, cash donations are very useful for purchases of staples given out regularly. The pantry is currently giving out certain foods, so we are asking that food donations please focus on the following items:

cream of chicken soup
cream of mushroom soup
tomato soup
chicken noodle soup
ramen noodles (chicken, beef)
hamburger helper
beef ravioli (cans)
instant sides (packages) – “pasta & sauce” or potato
cereal (boxes)
Jiffy corn muffin mix
bread
crackers (saltine)
canned fruit (pears, peaches, cocktail, applesauce)
bar soap
tuna (cans)
macaroni and cheese
canned corn, green beans, peas (12-15 oz. cans)
toilet paper
peanut butter (18 oz. creamy)
“Quick” oats
“complete” pancake & waffle mix
waffle syrup