We will update this page as the situation evolves.
Updated: 3/25/20
Does the Govenor’s ‘shelter-in-place’ affect if I can volunteer at The Open Door?
We are grateful for the inclusion of Food Shelves on the list of essential services, and that our volunteers, essential to the operation of our organization will still be allowed to come and help. We will continue to operate under our new modified operations that encourage social distancing and minimize interpersonal interactions.
Please only volunteer if you feel comfortable doing so, your health and well being needs to be your number one priority.
If you are in a High-Risk Category as defined by the CDC, please feel free to withhold from volunteering until the virus has passed.
What if I’m sick?
If you are sick, or anyone in your household is sick, please stay home and seek medical attention. Again, yours and your families health needs to be your number one priority.
What extra precautions are you taking?
We are managing risk for volunteers by disinfecting often and changing some procedures to reduce the sharing of germs. You will see signage posted throughout our locations with information on how to best prevent spreading the virus. A more robust cleaning schedule has been implemented. We ask that you help us keep surfaces disinfected, and wear gloves while volunteering. We are also minimizing interpersonal interactions between everyone at our locations.
Where do you need the most help?
If you are interested in helping, we need food distribution assistance and warehouse assistance. We also are in serious need of pasta, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, vegetable oil, toilet paper and fruit juice. Please consider donating these nonperishable food items
We also do have a plan in place to use our Mobile Lunchbox Model to distribute meals 5 days a week in multiple low-income communities. We will need volunteers to go out in teams of two five days a week. Click here and check “Mobile Pantry Driver” as your area of interest. We will contact you with more information.
Volunteer NowWhat can I tell a client if they’re frustrated with the modifications to our operations?
Please feel free to direct them to any staff member on site and let them know that we are making our best effort to make sure we are not actively spreading the disease while keeping operations going.
What steps can I take to ensure everyone’s health and safety?
WASH YOUR HANDS. Follow the CDC and MN Dept. of Health’s recommendations, if you are sick please stay home. Follow all posted instructions and protocols at our locations.
Is The Open Door going to temporarily close?
Not at this time. We do realize this is an evolving situation, but it is our top priority to keep our doors open to be able to respond to the needs of our clients. We will do our best to communicate with you any changes that are being made.