ALAMOSA — La Puente has been working hard to continue providing services amidst this pandemic. Our essential services, like the Alamosa Food Bank, are especially needed during this time. COVID-19 has resulted in many being unemployed and a serious lack of food access. Consequentially, the Food Bank has seen a serious influx of new and existing clients. Already, the community support has made it possible for the Food Bank to continue providing food to those who need it most.

Thanks to volunteers and donors, the Food Bank has been able to purchase food and staff the Bank as needed. Unfortunately, resources are running low – particularly with regard to volunteers. Thus, La Puente is calling for Food Bank volunteers! Of course, COVID complicates this call – as La Puente wants to keep both clients and volunteers safe. First, know that the Food Bank procedure has been modified. Instead of allowing clients to come inside the facility to “shop,” volunteers prepackage food boxes and distribute them one at a time. This significantly reduces any volunteer-client interaction.

The Food Bank is also working to make home deliveries, for folks who are not able to physically visit the facility. The volunteer packs food boxes into a vehicle and drops them on the porch of clients. This way, there is no interaction, or opportunity for infection.

For more details on the Food Bank volunteer processes, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/wa tch?v=KNRC7AhTmo0&list=PLzo CwTKFTyer7MzBLBM7BOoqU2GSRPlD&index=7.

The Food Bank also has to modify the volunteer requirements, to ensure everyone’s safety. In order to reduce the number of people coming in and out of the Food Bank; the ideal volunteer would commit to a regular, weekly shift (e.g. every Mon.) or multiple, weekly shifts (e.g. every Mon., Wed. and Fri.).

Additionally, the Food Bank requires volunteers to be symptom-free (of any symptoms, not just COVID-related) for 72 hours, before volunteering. Finally, the Food Bank will be taking the temperature of volunteers, before entering the facility.

The available shifts are as follows:

Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Mon.-Fri., 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.

Mon.-Fri., 1:30 p.m.-4 p.m.

In normal circumstances, La Puente could not operate without the community’s support. This continues to be true during this pandemic. Please join La Puente in providing hunger relief for those struggling in our community. Those interested can call: (719) 345-7554 or message La Puente on Facebook.