Solutions Blog

COVID-19 Information for Food Shelves

Person's hand reaches to put a can of green beans on a shelf with other green beans on a shelf. The cans all have labels from different brands, suggesting they were donated to the food shelf rather than purchased like in a store.

The COVID-19 pandemic that is ramping up in the U.S. is concerning for all of us. There is a lot we don’t know yet, but it is best to be prepared in case the disease accelerates here. Food shelves are a vital resource for the people they serve and we want to do what we can to make sure you are able to stay open and continue to be a lifeline for people who struggle with hunger in your communities.

There is little doubt that COVID-19 will affect some food shelf operations. Now is the time to develop plans to minimize the risk to you, your employees and volunteers, and the people you serve. Let’s plan for the worst and hope for the best.

We will be updating this page with tips and ideas from food shelves across the state as we all work to minimize the risk of infection while continuing to serve our neighbors to the best of our ability.


Update 5/19/2021

Masking Guidance for food shelf settings from the Minnesota Department of Human Services:

Are masks required in food shelves and other settings supporting people experiencing emergency food needs?

As of Friday, the statewide mandate to wear masks indoors has been lifted, but local governments, companies, and settings are still permitted to establish requirements for masking indoors. Some local governments and organizations have already established their own masking requirements. Masks continue to be recommended regardless of vaccination status by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) in emergency shelters, corrections facilities, and other settings. We strongly encourage all providers to consider establishing their own masking protocols within their settings, if they have not already.

What are the consequences of not wearing masks indoors?

Masking continues to be one of the most important ways to prevent transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19. One potential consequence from not wearing masks is contributing – even unknowingly – to the spread of the COVID-19 virus, especially among vulnerable people. Local jurisdictions and companies may impose other consequences for failing to wear masks indoors.

What is the safest course of action for food shelf settings?

Last week’s announcements of changes in masking requirements do not change the public health recommendations for the best ways to prevent spread for people experiencing food insecurity and staff and volunteers supporting them: get vaccinated as soon as you can, wear a mask indoors and when it is not possible to maintain physical distancing outdoors, maintain physical distancing as much as possible, and practice other mitigation efforts.

CDC guidance and recommendations for masking indoors

MDH guidance about masking

CDC considerations for Food Pantries and Food Distribution Sites


Update 10/23/2020
Resources and protocols for COVID safety at the food shelf

Neighborhood House COVID exposure procedure


Update 9/22/2020

CDC Considerations for Food Pantries and Food Distribution Sites


Update 7/23/2020

COVID-19 Grants have all been distributed to awarded grantees. Report forms and deadlines appear in each form.

COVID-19 Response Grant

Final report form

Transportation MFSP COVID-19 Grant

Final report form

Transportation CARES MFSP COVID-19 Grant

Final report form


Update 4/27/2020

  1. Slides from the Food Security Work Group meeting presentation
  2. Link to recorded meeting
  3. Transportation and Food Delivery Services Spreadsheets – attached
  4. Link to Hunger Solutions Minnesota’s website with state-funded food shelf and transportation funding opportunitiesApplications due by Thursday, April 30!
  5. DHS’s new main landing page for food support resources:
  6. Flyer about SNAP and COVID-19 guidelines and application
  7. Flyers about “public charge” rule and resources
    English: https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-8044C-ENG
    Hmong: https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-8044C-HMN
    Karen: https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-8044C-KAR
    Somali: https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-8044C-SOM
    Spanish: https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-8044C-SPA
  8. Link to Voices for Healthy Kids Policy Campaign Grants – letters of intent due Wednesday, April 29
  9. Link to Prevention of Wasted Food and Food Rescue Grants from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency – applications due June 12

Update 4/17/2020

1. Slides from the group presentation
2. Link to recording of call (from 4-16-2020)
3. DHS’s new main landing page for food support resources
4. Flier about SNAP and COVID-19 guidelines and application
    Updated Grant FAQs
5. Food shelf and transportation funding opportunities
6. Link to Emergency Response AmeriCorps funding program – please note – application deadline is next Wednesday April 22nd.

Update 4/13/2020

COVID-19 related grant applications are now open. Learn more on the grants page.

Recording link for the weekly call with the Department of Human Services, Food Banks, Food Shelves, and Hunger Solutions: https://z.umn.edu/foodsecurity4-9-20.

Reminder, we will be having these calls every Thursday at 1:00 pm to answer questions and share strategies as we all figure out new ways of getting food to the people who need it. Here are the details to join the meeting:

Link: https://umn.zoom.us/j/608440253
    or call-in : 651-372-8299 or 253-215-8782  or 301-715-8592 and use Meeting ID: 608 440 253 

Update 4/10/2020

MFSP COVID-19 Funding Announcement FAQs

Update 4/6/2020

NEW! TEFAP Eligibility forms with new income limits.

Update 4/2/2020

Updated info on state emergency funding from DHS & Hunger Solutions

Update 3/30/2020

A few resources that may be helpful for food shelves this week:

Resources Master Document
Our SNAP-Ed partners at U of M Extension have been putting together a massive document with links and resources that could be really helpful to food shelves. Check it out, and if you know useful info and resources to share with your fellow food shelves, let us know!

As part of this collection of resources, we are also collecting offers of help, equipment, and transportation/delivery resources that we have received at Hunger Solutions. Be sure to check it out and reach out to the contacts listed if they have something you need. We will be updating it as we hear of resources, so check back as your needs change.

Also, check out our email to food shelves with updates. Didn’t get the email? Contact Jill at jwestfall@hungersolutions.org and she will get you added to the list.

Community Action Center samples
The Community Action Center of Northfield shared a couple of sample documents with us on guidelines for illness and their approach to staffing during the pandemic. There is some really good stuff there, so check it out for ideas on how to adapt to our changing circumstances.

Update 3/25/2020

Governor Tim Walz has issued a shelter in place order for Minnesota, effective Friday, March 27. Food shelves and food banks are considered essential services and are allowed to remain open to serve their communities in this time of crisis.

For more information on how the shelter in place order with impact Minnesotans and what services are affected, see the Governor’s FAQs on COVID-19 and #StayHomeMN

Update 3/24/2020

We’ve asked food shelves to change how they deliver services very quickly to maintain safety. Last week, we visited Christian Cupboard Food Shelf to share with us what their new drive through model looks like, what they want volunteers to know, and what they need from their communities. 

Here’s what they had to say: 
What the new model looks like 

What volunteers need to know about COVID-19 at the food shelf

What food shelves need from their communities

Christian Cupboard has also shared their plan documents as a sample to help food shelves start moving to a pre-packed, drive-thru distribution.

Food shelves: What do you need to know? How is the new model working for you? Got an idea to share with your fellow food shelves? Let us know!

 

Update 3/23/2020

Update 3/17/2020:

COVID-19 Updates and Resources

Information and resources on TEFAP eligibility and intake for food shelves from OEO.

Easy ways to help!

1 Donate
2 Sign up
3 Advocate