Our Daily Bread Food Pantry Making Changes for Safety of Guests & Volunteers

Our Daily Bread Food Pantry (ODBFP) was quick to respond to the COVID-19 challenges and started with a pop-up mobile pantry for the families at Tommie Barfield Elementary School.  

On Friday, March 20th, ODBFP also had the “Al’s Pals” mobile food pantry at St. Mark’s parking lot. A volunteer named Allyson Richards said they were thrilled to be able to serve 541 people with bags of food and fresh produce. They plan to return to St. Marks on April 3rd at 3:15 PM.  

Al’s Pals Mobile Pantry plans to be at Manatee Middle School on Friday, March 27th at 4 PM with restrictions as food will need to be delivered to the parked cars. 

According to Liz Pecora, ODBFP Director of Communication, in response to the presence of COVID-19, ODBFP will be changing the way the food pantry works to ensure the safety of their guests and volunteers while complying with the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control (CDC). 

Here are some of the key changes: 

• Saturday Food Pantry (every 2nd & 4th Saturdays) will be operated via the ”Drive-In” approach instead of shopping inside the pantry building. Guests will drive to the pantry parking lot, park and wait in their cars. Food will be brought to their carts and placed in the trunk. Hours of operation are 9 AM to noon. 
• For all mobile outreaches, hours and locations remain the same. However, choice shopping will no longer be available. Six Feet Social distancing (or current CDC recommendations) will be required. 
• Food appointments will be increased from two days a week to five days a week (Monday – Friday) for two hours each day. Reservations for Food appointments may be obtained by calling 239-259-5188. Hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1 AM to Noon. Tuesday and Thursday hours are 4 PM – 6 PM. 
  

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All outreaches will provide only one bag of food with non-perishables and—as availability allows—dairy, frozen meat, bread, toilet paper and produce, until the COVID-19 crisis is over. Pantry ID, or if you do not have one, a Driver’s License should be brought to all pantry outreaches.  

ODBFP has been carefully evaluating every step of their process with guidance from the CDC and as developments arise, they will act in accordance with state and local guidelines. Pecora emphasized that their vision and focus remain working to wipe out hunger. 

Currently, ODBFP is challenged by a lack of food supply. Their food banks, as well as retail outlets, have greatly decreased availability. Individual food donations are also down. Their request for food assistance has more than doubled in the last week.  

ODBFP is asking for help from friends and supporters for desperately needed food items during this time of great need. For those heading back home, if you are cleaning out your refrigerator or pantry, please consider donating your food to Our Daily Bread Food Pantry. Donations may be dropped off at ODBFP’s collection boxes 1450 Winterberry Drive Annex Building (behind the building) or call us at 239-259-5188. 

ODBFP has put together a list of current food needs: 

1. Cereal  
2. Canned Vegetables  
3. Rice 
4. Dried Beans 
5. Peanut Butter 
6. Jelly  
7. Soup 
8. Cooking Oil 
   

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