Clients receive a number tag when they first arrive at the Food Care Center. Visit numbers are taken in the order in which the clients arrive.
First-time clients complete an information form that includes demographic and household information, listing all household members and their birthdates. Clients are then interviewed by a staff member, in the order that they arrive that day. The household information is entered into our computer data base from the completed form and a service date is recorded. Clients are advised of the center policies for future service and given their compute-assigned household number for use if they need additional assistance at a future date. This information is collected for the purpose of applying for and qualifying for grants; it is not used to determine whether or not clients recieve assistance.
Returning clients provide their photo ID and household number; the system is queried to verify that they have not already received assistance during the current month. Their information is updated if there are changes and a service date is recorded.
Clients are then directed to the assistance area where they recieve a grocery cart.
Once clients have a grocery cart they are directed to each of the three food areas, packaged and canned goods and ; baked goods; and meats and dairy products.
In each area a volunteer will assist the client in selecting food, based on the following considerations: quantities of each food item available that day, size of the household, and ages of the household members. Because of limited quantities, certain items are available only for children. Baby food and formula are sometimes available for infants.
Finally clients take their cart outside and unload in their vehicle; they return the cart to the pick up area and receive a white ticket which will allow them to access the fresh fruits and vegetables on the back dock. . If they are walking clients, the Center can provide them with additional bags (if available) when they receive their meat and dairy items. If clients are homeless, the Center attempts to provide foods that do not require can openers, refrigeration or cooking.