We are excited to be running our Holiday Hot Meals ministry this year. Even though COVID is challenging us in many ways, the chance to (safely) bring a big helping of love on the holidays to area shut-ins will happen.

Here are some of the precautions we are taking to make this a safe and successful ministry:

1. All volunteers will wear facemasks that go over the nose for the entire ministry. If a volunteer has any symptoms, they will not be allowed to enter the facility or participate in any way.
2. Instead of volunteer-made desserts, we are using commercially prepared ones to minimize food contact. Don’t worry, bakers, we’ll be back to offering your homemade goodness once we’re out of this situation!
3. Volunteer staffing will be limited to no more than 10 people inside First Lutheran church. The kitchen will be limited to 4 volunteers and 1 dishwasher. The packing crew, who will stay out of the kitchen area, will be limited to 5 people.
4. Drivers will stay in their cars in the parking lot. Our usual system has drivers coming into the dining room to check-in and then take their meals kits to their cars. This year drivers will arrive in the parking lot and call in to our check-in volunteer (the number will be posted on a sign). Volunteers will then bring the meal kits to the driver’s cars.
5. Drivers will sanitize their hands (with provided sanitizer) prior to any time they want to touch the pre-packaged meals. This means hands will be sanitized prior to each stop on a route.
6. Meals will be left at the door of recipients prior to knocking on the door/ringing the bell. Drivers can then back up 6-10 feet to greet recipients before leaving.