Responding To COVID-19

April 26, 2020

Our leadership team has been working to adapt throughout COVID-19 and working to serve our clients, while doing our best to keep all involved healthy and safe. We are now OPEN in our new location, accepting non-perishable and perisable food donations, and will begin distributing food to our clients on June 6. See below for our recent updates.

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[acc_item title=”July 12, 2021 – Update – We’re Re-Opening and Inviting Clients Inside!”]

Beginning July 12, 2021 – We will be re-opening our doors and will resume operations as a Select Pantry, inviting our clients INSIDE to select food for their households BY APPOINTMENT in our grocery store style facility.

If you (or someone you know) are in need of food assistance, please visit our Client Services page.

For more informaiton about our re-opening, please visit our Re-opening blog post.

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[acc_item title=”Wednesday, June 3, 2020 – Update – We’re Open!”]

Beginning Saturday, June 6th, we are now OPEN in our new location, accepting non-perishable and perisable food donations, and will begin distributing food to our clients on June 6th:

  • New Address: 7669 Limestone Drive, #105, Gainesville, VA 20155
  • Clients:
    Our new procedures will be by appointment only and “curbside pickup.” To make an appointment, please go to our Need Help page for instructions.
  • Food Donations:
    Non-perishable items may be dropped off with our volunteers during business hours or any time in our receiving bins located in the back of our building. Perishable food and large food drives must be dropped off during business hours or by appointment. A list of hours and current food needs can be found on Donate Food page
  • Financial Donations:
    You can continue your support by donating online now.
  • Volunteering:
    Learn more about volunteering at the food pantry. Visit out volunteer page today

Thank you for your patience as we update our website to match our new hours, policies and procedures.



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[acc_item title=”Thursday, May 14, 2020 – Update”]



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[acc_item title=”Sunday, May 10, 2020 – Update”]

  • STATUS: We are continuing our Gift Card distributon program this week. We thank everyone for their support and patience as we continue to serve those in need.
  • HOW TO HELP: We hope to continue the Gift Card program until we reopen or until funds run out. You can help by donating online now. To learn more, visit our blog post on How to Help During COVID-19.
  • NEED HELP? If you or someone you know is in need of food assistance during this time, please visit our Need Help page to learn more about how we can help. There is also a lost of additional resources in the area.



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[acc_item title=”Sunday, April 26, 2020 – Update”]

  • STATUS: We are excited to report that the new location worked great on Saturday, so we will be back there again this week. We have also adjusted our hours and procedures (again) to ensure existing clients are served. We thank everyone for their support and patience as we continue to serve those in need.
  • HOW TO HELP: We will continue the Gift Card program until we reopen or until funds run out. You can help by donating online. To learn more, please visit our blog post on How to Help During COVID-19.
  • NEED HELP? If you or someone you know is in need of food assistance during this time, please visit our Need Help page to learn more about how we can help. There is also a lost of additional resources in the area.



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[acc_item title=”Friday, April 24, 2020 – Update”]
** NEW LOCATION ** Food Lion Parking Lot – 15201 Washington St, Haymarket, VA.

** NEW LOCATION ** Food Lion Parking Lot – 15201 Washington St, Haymarket, VA.

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[acc_item title=”Sunday, April 19, 2020 – Update”]

  • STATUS: The Haymarket Food Pantry will be OPEN on a limited basis to provide grocery store gift cards for our clients and their households. This program is open to registered clients with valid ID, and will continue weekly during the days and times listed below. We plan to continue this program until our facility reopens (or funds for this program run out):
    • Tuesdays from 5 – 7 PM
    • Thursdays from 5 – 7 PM
    • Saturdays from 9 AM – 12 PM
  • MORE INFO: See our Need Help page on our website for more information.
  • HOW TO HELP: Though our facility is temporarily closed, we still need your help to continue giving HOPE and Helping Other People Eat. Visit our blog post on How to Help During COVID-19.
  • NEED HELP? Please visit our Need Help page to learn more about how we can help, as well as other resources in the area.



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[acc_item title=”Saturday, April 11, 2020 – Update”]

  • STATUS: The Haymarket Food Pantry will be OPEN on a limited basis to provide assistance with groceries for our clients and their households. This program is open to registered clients with valid ID during the following dates and times:
    • Tue April 14 from 5 – 7 PM
    • Thu April 16 from 5 – 7 PM
    • Sat April 18 from 9 AM – 12 PM
  • MORE INFO: See the April 12th Email To Our Clients for more information.
  • HOW TO HELP: Though our facility is temporarily closed, we still need your help to offer interim help to clients as we regroup and prepare to re-open. Visit our blog post on How to Help During COVID-19.
  • NEED HELP? Please visit our Need Help page to learn more about how we can help, as well as other resources in the area.



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[acc_item title=”Monday, April 6, 2020 – Update”]

  • STATUS: The food pantry is TEMPORARILY CLOSED.
    • We will update our status weekly.
    • We are working to reopen our facilities as soon as possible AND find ways to support our clients during this time. We do not make this decision lightly and have not abandoned our mission.
    • We continue to receive an outpouring of support and encouragement for us to remain open. Because of this generosity, we will be ready to restock shelves when the time comes. Your continued financial donations are appreciated. (DONATE HERE)
  • MORE INFO: We want to provide some context regarding our challenges during this time of COVID-19:
    • We are an all volunteer organization. We have no paid individuals on staff.
    • It takes approximately 125 on-site volunteers to staff the pantry each week. This translates into roughtly 600 volunteers per month.
      • 90 to receive, inspect, sort and shelve our food inventory.
      • 10+ to pick up food from grocery stores and donation locations.
      • 25 to distribute food to our clients.
    • Our physical space in our stock and food distribution rooms (roughly 1,800 sqft combined) make it nearly impossible to maintain the CDC’s recommended 6 feet of social distancing.
    • Even with our new “drive through” food distribution process, roughly 12 people touch the food as it makes its way to our client’s trunk.
    • Over the month of March, the number of volunteers who were willing/able to work dropped by 50% each week, until we were down to less than 20 very committed, but weary volunteers this last week.
    • HOW TO HELP: Though we are temporarily closed, we still need your help as we regroup and prepare to re-open. Visit our blog post on How to Help During COVID-19.
    • NEED HELP? Please visit our Need Help page to learn more about how we can help, as well as other resources in the area.

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    [acc_item title=”Sunday, March 29, 2020 – Update”]

    • Letter from Executive Director, Eileen F. Smith
    • STATUS:
      • We are OPEN through Saturday, April 4th.
      • We will suspend operations and temporarily close beginning Sunday, April 5th.
    • NEW PROCEDURES:
      • To adhere to social distancing guidelines, we have moved our food distribution entirely outdoors. Our clients remain to in their cars as volunteers deliver pre-selected bags of groceries into open trunks or back seats.
      • We continue to restrict access inside our building to volunteers only.
      • We will continue to receive donations through Friday April 3rd between 9:30 and 11:30 or by appointment.
    • HOW TO HELP: Though we are temporarily closed, we still need your help as we regroup and prepare to re-open. Visit our blog post on How to Help During COVID-19.
    • NEED HELP? Please visit our Need Help page to learn more about how we can help, as well as other resources in the area.

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    [acc_item title=”Sunday, March 22, 2020 – Update”]
    This week, our long-standing commitment to giving H.O.P.E. to our hungry neighbors has been surpassed only by the incredible generosity of our community. Thank you! Your generosity is both humbling and inspiring.

    • STATUS: We are OPEN through Sunday, March 29
    • FOOD SUPPLY: Our inventory is low, however, the influx of financial donations has enabled us to purchase food needed to serve the increased volume of clients. The food we purchase is augmented by the fresh produce we continue to receive from local grocers.
    • NEW PROCEDURES: We continue to review and adjust our food distribution procedures to ensure social distancing guidelines are followed. Starting this week:
      • We will limit access into our building to only volunteers.
      • Neither clients nor donors may enter the building.
      • Food will be distributed to clients outside our building during normal distribution hours.
        (please pray for good weather!)
    • NEED HELP? We are here for you. Please visit our Need Help page to learn more.

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    [acc_item title=”Thursday, March 19, 2020 – Update”]
    Yes, we are still open, and Yes, we still need your help. The outpouring of support over the past few days is simply amazing, overwhelming and truly encouraging as we work to stay open to support the hungry in our community. See our blog post on How to Help During COVID-19.

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    [acc_item title=”Tuesday, March 17, 2020 – Update”]
    Our leadership team is working to stay open to serve our clients, while keeping all involved healthy and safe. We will are reviewing our status regularly, and will provide updates weekly (or more frequently as needed). The following applies through Sunday, March 22:

    • We will remain open until Sunday, March 22 and slightly modify the hours we receive donations this week:
      • Food distribution to our clients (no change: Tue 6-8; Thu 6-8; Sat 9-12)
      • Receive Donations – No weekday afternoon hours through 3/22 (M-F 9:30-11:30; Sat 10-12; Sun 4-6)
    • People dropping off food donations will not be allowed inside. Please ring the doorbell and a volunteer
      will greet you to bring in your donation. For large donations, please use our Contact Us form and select “Food Drives” to make an appointment for us to receive your donation.
    • We will restrict the volume of people inside the pantry at one time.
    • All tours of our food pantry are cancelled until futher notice.
    • All training sessions for volunteers and maintenance teams are cancelled until futher notice.
    • We have increased the cleaning of public and volunteer areas and frequently touched surfaces.
    • All visitors to the food pantry will be expected to follow the CDC guidelines and practice good hygiene:
      • Stop handshaking and use other methods of greeting.
      • Clean hands at the door.
      • Avoid touching your face and cover coughs, sneezes.
      • Practice social distancing—stay 3’-6’ away from another person.
    • Additionally, all volunteers will be required to
      • Wash hands every 30 minutes during their shift at the food pantry.
      • Disinfect surfaces, tables, door handles for entry/exit, interior doors, refrigerators, freezers,
        keyboard, mouse, light switches, handrails, etc.
    • Anyone who feels ill or is exhibiting any symptoms of illness is encouraged to stay home.
      • Volunteers unable to work their scheduled shifts are encouraged to contact our volunteer
        coordinator – Laura Smith.
      • Anyone presenting with virus-like symptoms will be denied access into our facility. Clients in
        need of food will be asked to stay in their vehicle, and food will be brought to them.

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    [acc_item title=”Saturday, March 14, 2020″]

    In response to COVID-19 (also known as “Coronavirus”), the Haymarket Regional Food Pantry (HRFP) is announcing its plans for the upcoming week to ensure the safety and health of our clients, volunteers, and suppliers involved with our organization in our efforts of giving H.O.P.E. and Helping Other People Eat.

    Our goal is to remain open as long as it is safe for our clients and volunteers. We take great pride in maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene. As of now, we will be open through Tuesday, March 17 for food distribution to our clients as well as receiving food donations. We have implemented some additional measures to help keep everyone healthy and safe which are detailed in our Coronavirus 2020-03-14 Announcement.

    Thank you all for your patience and support during this time. We will provide updates on our website and Facebook page. At this time, the most impactful and efficient way to help is through financial donations, click to learn more.

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