COVID-19 Updates
This page will be continually updated to reflect food bank changes to prepare for COVID-19, with the newest updates on top. If you are a member agency, please visit your agency online shopping portal NEWS section for agency-specific updates.
April 13, 2020
Due to weather conditions, the Farm Wagon truck scheduled to visit Jefferson St. in Huntington on April 15th will be moved to:
Huntington County Fairgrounds
631 East Taylor Street, Huntington, IN 46750
April 15, 2020 – 1:00 p.m.
After April 15th, the Farm Wagon will resume distributions from the location at 1330 S. Jefferson St. All other Farm Wagon trucks are operating as scheduled.
March 23, 2020
Community Harvest COVID-19 Important Farm Wagon Update
The Farm Wagon mobile pantry program run through Community Harvest Food Bank will undergo schedule and location changes effective March 30, 2020 due to developments with our COVID-19 virus safety plan. Currently, our refrigerated trucks make 86 stops per month in our nine-county service area. This will change as of March 30th to one stop per week in each county at a central location. Some locations will be changed to allow for a drive-through pickup format.
What is Farm Wagon? – Farm Wagon is a mobile pantry program operated by Community Harvest Food Bank since 1999. It distributes fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products to individuals and families in need. Distributions are outdoors after food is unloaded from our refrigerated truck.
Who can attend? – Any adult in need may attend a scheduled Farm Wagon. No ID is required.
What about Farm Wagons this week? – Farm Wagon trucks will run as scheduled this week. This change is temporary and will take place beginning Monday, March 30th and will continue until further notice.
Our new schedule is pasted below, and is also available as a PDF HERE.
March 16, 2020
This week only, the Farm Wagon held at Ashley Church of God (Living Hope Church) will be cancelled. As of right now, the Farm Wagon for next week will run as scheduled.
Beginning Saturday, March 21, we will be closing Community Cupboard on Saturdays only in order to handle the traffic load for our regular Saturday Helping Hands distribution. If you are holding a voucher, you may use it during our regular weekly hours. However, if you need Saturday food assistance, you are more than welcome to attend our other distribution.
Beginning this Saturday, our Saturday Helping Hands program will be moving to a Drive-Through format with pre-packed bags. Anyone is welcome and no ID is required. It will be in operation from 9-11am, and as long as you arrive before 11, you will be served.
The Hope for Heroes program will be limited to 50 lbs per visit instead of the usual 100 lbs. If you are a Veteran or military family in need, please give us a call at 260-447-3696 for information about how to participate.
March 13, 2020
For the safety of clients, staff, and volunteers, tomorrow, March 14th, 2020, we will be distributing food through our Saturday Helping Hands outside instead of indoors, so people will not be crowded indoors. Everything else will remain the same this week. Beginning next Saturday, March 21, 2020, our Saturday Helping Hands distribution will be moved to a drive-through format with pre-packed bags for distribution. Extra traffic control will be enlisted to ensure that this runs as smoothly as possible.
Beginning Monday, March 16th, clients visiting the Community Cupboard pantry will be limited to one client per voucher, and no more than 3 clients shopping at a time. Clients arriving with a voucher will be able to check in at the door and leave their phone number to be called when the next spot is available. In addition, visits will be limited to 15 minutes and 50 pound maximum. We apologize for the inconvenience that this may cause, but we want to ensure the safety of everyone and adequate food during this difficult time. In addition, all clients, staff, and volunteers will receive gloves to use while shopping and handling all product.
Beginning Wednesday, March 18th, SeniorPak walk-in program will be changed to drive-through format with pre-packed bags for distribution. We will be enlisting extra traffic control help to ensure that the distribution will run as smoothly as possible.
March 13, 2020
***UPDATE*** Instead of cancellation, the Farm Wagon originally cancelled at Wayne Township will be moved to Weisser Park Youth Center at 802 Eckart St, Fort Wayne, IN 46806. This Farm Wagon will be TEMPORARILY moved to Weisser Park until further notice, and will be re-evaluated week by week. It will take place at the same day and time as the Wayne Township Farm Wagon.
The Farm Wagon scheduled for Monday, March 16, 2020 at Wayne Township will be cancelled. All other Farm Wagon trucks will run as scheduled, unless otherwise updated on this page. So far, the following week’s Wayne Township Farm Wagon will be operational, but is subject to change with further updates. To protect clients’ health, the Wayne Township location Farm Wagon will be evaluated week to week.
Farm Wagon Location: 320 E. Superior St., Fort Wayne, Mondays at 8:30am.
March 13, 2020
With the news of the COVID-19 virus affecting our Indiana communities, the food bank is taking measures to improve client health and safety during this time. Based on information provided by other regional food banks and health organizations, we are taking precautions to reduce risk to clients, especially those who may be more vulnerable to the effects of the virus.
We are in the planning stages to update methods of distribution to help keep everyone safe. Further updates will be shown here, so please be sure to check before coming to the food bank or visiting a program site.
To learn more about COVID-19, and what it means to you, please visit the CDC website for more information here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html
The CDC has provided a PDF flyer for hygiene and health practices. We have access to these flyers in several languages, which can be downloaded as a PDF here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1knXTSMA25G_RaaZVnSRMM8IONGI1KNdK
Here is the English Example:
