Second Harvest Food Bank COVID-19 Preparedness & Response

(Evolving guidance provided by the CDC and Public Health Departments will take precedent over the information provided here. We recommend monitoring these authoritative sources regularly.)

Both the federal and state governments have taken extraordinary steps this week to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and North Carolina and to offer relief to the many affected by the coronavirus. While the novel coronavirus represents unchartered territory in many respects, Action Pathways is skilled in navigating low-income families through unprecedented terrain. In response to the coronavirus pandemic, we are implementing the following strategies –until further notice– to safeguard our workforce and operations.

Operations: Program services will be modified to reduce the possibility of COVID-19 transmission through direct contact with the public. Some services may be suspended and hours of operation may be reduced depending on the severity of the coronavirus outbreak and CDC guidance. We will continue to monitor the situation for possible changes.

Facilities: Action Pathways facilities will be closed to the public to minimize opportunities for coronavirus transmission; Only API employees, essential partners, and volunteers will be allowed inside API facilities. Staff will continue to serve the public and conduct business during operating hours via telephone, email and online.

Events: All agency-sponsored events and/or program activities, not related to COVID-19 response/recovery, are canceled or postponed.

Update on Modified Agency Operations:

The Food Bank Distribution Center is open, but closed to the public.  

Agency Advancement/Communications

Advancement staff will be available daily via email and/or phone to address fundraising issues. For questions on how to support Action Pathways or to donate, please email Chris Davis at chris.davis@actionpathways.ngo.

Donations can be mailed to 316 Green St, PO Box 2009 Fayetteville, NC 28301 or given online at www.actionpathways.ngo. To support the Food Bank directly, make checks out to the Second Harvest Food Bank or give online at hungercantwait.org.

Communications will be available daily via email and/or phone to address any media issues. For media requests, please contact Chris Davis at 910.916.6305 or chris.davis@actionpathways.ngo

FOR PARTNER AGENCIES ONLY:

The following Services are available to member agencies:

  • Online orders
  • Call-in orders
  • Order (meat) protein (as available)

DUE TO HIGH DEMAND THE SERVICES BELOW ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME:

  • Order (assorted) salvage in bulk boxes
  • Pre-boxed TEFAP orders for distributions
  • Deliveries of TEFAP  (subject to availability)
  • Pick up TEFAP orders on the dock—ONLY

Call 910.485.6923 for more information on how to place order

THE WAREHOUSE WILL NOT BE OPEN FOR SHOPPING  — PICK-UPS ONLY

Assistance Through Partner Agencies

Looking for food? Anyone in our seven-county service area who needs help with food can visit our Food Finder page to lookup local members of our partner agency network.

Must Call First. Appointments Only.

How You Can Help

As we look to shift inventory to be as flexible as possible with the rapidly changing need, every dollar by generous supporters goes a long way in helping those who need it the most. To donate, please click here.

Things to Consider When Volunteering

If you are feeling sick or displaying any symptoms of illness, please stay home. We indeed rely on volunteer power to get the job done, but we need you to be healthy and operating at 100% to make that happen! Please do not put yourself or anyone else at risk by coming to volunteer when sick. If you are displaying signs of illness while on-site at the Food Bank, one of our team members will ask you to return home.

All volunteers must wash their hands upon entering the Food Bank, before starting a project. Team members will be on-site to direct you to the restrooms. Best practice from the CDC—whether at you’re at the Food Bank or not—wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

If you are healthy and want to volunteer, you can self-schedule a shift by calling Julia Morales, Agency Relations Supervisor at 919.485.6923 Ext: 4515.

Important Notes on Food Safety and Hygiene

Our staff, Partner Agencies, and volunteers are of the utmost importance to our operation and ability to serve, so we are taking extra steps to ensure their safety.

For your awareness and reassurance, we want to share some of the Food Bank’s standard, routine practices around food safety and hygiene: the Food Bank has regular food safety inspections from independent entities (like NCDA, USDA, AIB, and Feeding America) and works to maintain the highest level of cleanliness and sanitation for the safety of the food we provide to our partner agencies, as well as those who enter our facilities to support our work.

Thank you for your continued engagement to address and combat the spread of COVID-19 and to support our community. For general questions or to give to support our efforts, please call 910.485.6131 or email us at advancement@actionpathways.ngo. For questions about donating food or volunteering, please call Julia Morales at 910.485.6923 Ext.4515 or Julia.morales@actionpathways.ngo.