OLS Food Pantry
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE In light of COVID-19, please know we are carefully monitoring CDC guidelines and the rapidly changing situation, and evaluating whether or not it is prudent to remain open to serve our patrons. The safety of our volunteers comes first. Currently, we will remain open, with a few modifications:
1) Masks and gloves are mandatory for all volunteers. We have a limited supply of disposable gloves. Please bring your own if you can.
2) The Saturday distribution teams operate outside, so if you're a volunteer, please dress accordingly and arrive by 750am.
3) The purpose of our Satuday "Grab & Go" approach with an earlier start time is to minimize the patron line. We have instituted shortened "check-in" procedures, and there is no client choice.
If you feel uncomfortable or are unwell, do not come to Pantry.
If you are immune-compromised or live with someone who is, do not come to pantry.
Please review the CDC guidelines regarding older adults when deciding to come to pantry. https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/06/health/coronavirus-older-people-social-distancing/index.html
If you develop the virus within two weeks of visiting pantry, you must let us know immediately. Contact [email protected].
We will keep the home page of our Sign Up Genius updated, so please make sure to bookmark this site and check back often. You are welcome to contact me with questions.
THE NEXT FOOD DISTRIBUTION IS ON MAY 23, 2020, FROM 8-11AM. We will distribute food packages outside, near the 4th Street doorway with ramp.
If you need food before our next distribution date, or know someone who does, please contact Kate at [email protected]
Dear Volunteers and Donors,
Thank you for your interest in the OLS Food Pantry! The Pantry serves patrons on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month, and volunteer activities are scheduled around these distribution dates.
If you have questions, or your organization would like to run a food drive for us please contact Kate ([email protected]).
If you can't do a shift you've signed up for...please try to find a friend to fill your shift. If you can't get a replacement, delete yourself from the Sign Up Genius so you open the shift for another volunteer to take your place. It can be difficult for us to find replacements last minute. NOTE that some activities, such as the summertime fresh food pickups on Wednesdays, and the Friday bread pickups year round have NO BACKUPS. So if you miss the pickup and haven't notified us in advance, our patrons will go without.
As a reminder, we've listed below the food items we need regularly. While we are limited primarily to non-perishable foods, we focus on providing those that are as healthy as possible. Alternatively, if you'd like to make a monetary donation, which gives us maximum flexibility, checks can be made payable to the OLS Food Pantry and mailed to: OLS Food Pantry, c/o Our Lady of Sorrows Parish Office, 217 Prospect St, South Orange, NJ 07079 or donations can be made on line: https://olschurch.com/parish-giving/
- Shelf-Stable Milk (boxes preferred)
- Low/No-Sugar Cereal & Oatmeal
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta (whole wheat or regular)
- Pasta Sauce (no glass please)
- Tuna or Chicken in cans
- Low-Sugar Canned Fruit (in juice)
- Low-Sodium Canned Vegetables (no corn)
- Rice (1 lb. bags: brown, yellow, or white)
- Beans (dried or canned)
- Mac & cheese
- Granola bars, crackers, and cookies
Non-perishable food donations can be dropped off at The OLS Rectory, 217 Prospect Street. Just place donations by the front door. No need to ring bell. Drop off hours: Mon-Sat 7am-4pm; Sun 8am-12pm. No glass, open/expired food, XL sizes, or home-portioned foods, please! If you would like to donate perishable food, please contact Kate. Our cold storage capacity is very limited.
Our Children's Book Pantry is taking a short break while we wait for warmer and drier weather to bring books outside. We take elementary school-age chapter books in good condition, board books, and dictionaries (English, French, & Spanish for both children and adults). We have very limited storage, so best to check first before donating books to us. The Book Pantry is very popular with the children who visit, along with the parents, grandparents, and caregivers we serve. If you have questions about children's books to donate (we accept books through middle school level), please let us know and we'll put you in touch with our Book Pantry Librarians.
As always, thanks so much!
Kate + Nancy + Anne
