COVID-19 has posed many challenges to our community, but especially for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and families with low household incomes. These Emergency Community Food Pantries will supply at-risk community members and JFS Housing residents with much-needed food staples, household goods, and personal protective equipment that they might not be able to find elsewhere. Many of these individuals might not have access to transportation, have the funds to purchase these items due to financial impact from the virus, or are simply self-isolating to lower their risk of infection and infecting others.
Volunteers will assist JFS staff in staging the food delivered, packing the bags, and distributing them. Depending on the date of the pantry, the bags will be going to sites around the community or residents at JFS Housing. Volunteers must be able to lift 10+ lbs and be on their feet for upwards of 4 hours.
In order to provide a safe environment for volunteers, staff, and clients we welcome volunteers who:
- Have not experienced any symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath) or tested positive in the past four weeks.
- Have not encountered anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 in the past two weeks.
Volunteers are required to wear a face mask at all times while on JFS property. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own face masks, but if they do not have one, one will be provided for them. We will also have gloves and hand sanitizer available. We invite a maximum of 8 volunteers to participate in each pantry so we may provide social distancing. Our facilities are cleaned and disinfected daily. All JFS staff members will be wearing face masks. Depending on the scheduled pantry, there may be interaction with clients. Clients are encouraged to wear face masks and maintain social distancing. Volunteers will be given the option to participate in client interactions or not upon confirmation of their sign up.
Pantries will take place at JFS' Main Campus (1300 Jackson Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202). The exact times of the pantries are dependent on the delivery schedule and will be confirmed with volunteers closer to the date.
These pantries were made possible thanks to a grant from the Fund of Jewish Milwaukee at the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and our generous donors.
