While our pantry isn't new, the way we are able to provide food has changed. Until now, a staff member has had to stop what they're doing when an individual or family comes in to get food aid. We have moved our First Serve Pantry into the lobby of our facility, and individuals are now encouraged to take what they want or need. By giving them the freedom of choice, something we all have, we feel it helps to treat people with the dignity and respect that they deserve. We're hoping to host a Kids Cafe site in each and every one of our counties throughout our service area.
Some agencies have to travel more than two hours one-way to get to our Tallahassee warehouse.
Since many agencies rely on volunteers, for both people-power and transportation, coordinating all of this can be troublesome and costly. We are starting with six days of service for the Rural Delivery Program, but anticipate adding days as scheduling and truck availability allow. Since many of our smaller, more rural, member agencies do rely heavily on volunteers, they may not have had the training in areas that other agencies have benefitted from. This is an important program that we are hoping to expand as transportation and staffing allows. Since the food rarely reaches the warehouse, being delivered immediately, it is a very cost effective way for us to distribute these prepared meals.