Hello JCLA friends and family,
Here at Junction City Local Aid we are closely monitoring the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak and will be following the guidelines and recommendations of the CDC and Lane County Public Health, as well as our partners at Food for Lane County, Oregon Food Bank and Feeding America. Lane County fortunately hasn’t had any reported cases yet, but it’s likely only a matter of time before it arrives here. I wanted to make you aware of our plans to increase our preparedness.
All week we have increased the frequency of sanitizing all surfaces, door handles and shopping carts. We offer hand sanitizer for our guests to use, and our staff and volunteers follow food handling best practices, including frequent hand washing for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
Maintaining a safe environment in our pantry is of the utmost importance. This is why we must ask any of our clients who are ill to please stay home (even if you don’t have COVID-19). You can arrange in advance for an authorized representative to pick up your monthly or weekly food items for you. Just give us a call and we can help you make the necessary arrangements.
The coronavirus outbreak is a rapidly changing and fluid situation. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and adjust as necessary. We will keep you posted with new information, so please check before you visit the pantry in the days and weeks to come.
We hope that you stay safe and healthy during this time. Thank you for supporting Junction City Local Aid!
– Eric Dye, JCLA Board President
Information for those needing services:
Help for K-12 children – Many area schools plan to continue offering to-go meals to students. We will post the complete list here as soon as we have all information from schools.
Information for those who want to help:
Now more than ever, Junction City Local Aid needs your support to help meet the urgent needs of our community members who fight hunger on a daily basis. COVID-19 poses additional strain on situations that are already precarious. It also poses challenges to our normal processes and volunteers opportunities may change on short notice. Please read below for the latest information and contact us with questions.
- I want to volunteer, how can I help? – At this time, our pantry is open to volunteers as usual. Click here for more information on volunteer opportunities and to get information on signing up for a shift. You may also contact us during regular pantry hours.
- Where can I donate food and what do you need most? – Food donations can be accepted at JCLA 210 East 6th Avenue, Junction City. We are open for donations Monday 11:30am – 1pm, Tuesday and Wednesday 9am – 1pm and Thursday 3pm – 7pm. Please call ahead if you are donating a large volume of food. Canned Vegis and soups, boxed meals and baby diapers are among the most needed items.
- How do I make a donation? – Financial contributions are especially helpful because we can quickly put gifts to use in a flexible way to best support the most urgent needs. Click here to help now.
Update 3-19-2020 – To our clients:
On your next visit to Local Aid you will notice some additional COVID-19 precautions we are implementing in our pantry.
Going forward, we will be using a take a number system and asking that you remain outside or in your car until your number is called. This may result a longer wait time than usual.
**Please also be aware that once you enter the pantry, you are asked to stay until your visit is completed. If you need to leave, you will be asked to take a new number and wait for it to be called again.**
We are reminding all of our clients, volunteers and staff to observe “social distancing” measures and keep a buffer of 3-6 feet apart from other people.
Clients will check in verbally instead of signing in. You will still choose your monthly items, however our staff and volunteers will be handling the food items and putting orders together for you in both the monthly and weekly sections.
We look forward to the time when these measures will no longer be necessary. Thank you for your understanding and patience in the meantime. We are all in this together!
Update 6/1/2020
We have began accepting clothing donations again. Please bring them to the pantry during our open hours. Thank you.
Update 6/15/2020
Our clothing area is open with strict social distancing guidelines. Please follow the rules to access this limited area of Local Aid. Thank you.