Chatham’s Outreach for Hunger is set to reopen its doors later today. 
The food bank shut down last week as the agency’s board and staff tried to find the best way to serve the community amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Executive Director Brenda LeClair says they’ll be working under reduced hours, from 11-4.
“Usually we allow people to come in and select their grocery items, this time it’s going to be a pre-packed box,” LeClair explains. “We’ve put some emergency supplies together, boxes for different family sizes, and we will be allowing one person in at a time so we can hopefully control social distancing.”
LeClair says it’s the most critical time of the month for families in need and the need for donations is greater than ever.
“The money has run out, the cheques aren’t coming in for another week, they don’t have access to the grocery store, It’s imperative that we get open again and we start supporting these families.”
LeClair says donations have slowed down somewhat, but they still have some staunch supporters helping to feed those in need.
She says the quantity of food being handed out may be slightly less than in the past, but everyone will get fed.