Manna Food Project

Volunteer Program Updates
- September 15, 2021 -

COVID-19 has brought unexpected challenges to our community. As a result, Manna has developed several ways to reduce the risk of transmission and keep our volunteers safe while continuing to provide food for the hungry.

Here is a general overview of the changes we have made thus far to our procedures.  

Individual and Group Volunteering

• All individuals and groups are required to schedule volunteer shifts in advance. To ensure proper social distancing, walk-in volunteer opportunities are currently unavailable.  
• Individuals will have the opportunity to partner with others during their shift (in groups up to 4) or to work alone. Please let Manna staff members know your preference and your comfort level working with others.
• Friend or family groups are limited to 10 individuals, including children, for each work area. However, the repack room is limited to 4 individuals.

Programs

• Manna’s Food Rescue Program
• Volunteer drivers and riders are needed to pick up surplus food items from area businesses and grocery stores. 
• Our “Food 4 Kids” Backpack Program
• Volunteer drivers and riders are needed to deliver backpacks to area schools. This program will has resumed as of September 15, 2021.
• Manna Community Food Pantry has continued its curbside service Client Choice Pantry.
• Each pantry date requires one volunteer for client registration, parking lot assistants, client shoppers, and food counter assistants.
• Volunteers will be needed Thursday's 9am-11am to restock pantry shelves.

Volunteer Responsibilities

• Everyone who enters our facility must wear a mask over their mouth and nose under the guidance from MDHHS. Each volunteer's comfort level is different, we want to ensure a comfortable work environment by continuing to require wearing masks while inside the building.
• Since we work with an at-risk population, if you have been in contact with a COVID-19 positive case within the past 10 days, please refrain from volunteering for 10 days post contact regardless of vaccination status.
• Upon entering the building all are required to wear a mask. If you have any other symptoms of COVID-19 (or who has been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19) will be politely asked to leave and encouraged to seek guidance from a healthcare professional.
• Volunteers should wash their hands upon entry and follow good hygiene practices (such as wearing gloves while packing produce, social distancing, and sanitizing hands and workspaces frequently) while at our facility.
• Volunteers are also encouraged to voice any health questions or safety concerns to Manna staff members.
• Individuals that are especially at risk of COVID-19, including seniors and those with compromised immune systems or chronic conditions, should consider the risks of exposure that volunteering at Manna or any organization might bring.

In the case of a possible COVID-19 exposure, Manna will cancel volunteer shifts out of an abundance of caution. In the case of a confirmed exposure, Manna will contact all affected individuals as required by the Health Department of Northwest Michigan.

Stay informed! Subscribe to our volunteer email newsletter. You can also follow Manna's Facebook page and website for news.