New procedures in place at Chester Area Christian Food Pantry

The Chester Area Christian Food Pantry is still open for business on Monday and Wednesday of each week.

However, there will not be a mobile market held in April.

Clients are not allowed to enter the pantry building, and are directed by pantry staff to stay in their cars until directed to pick up their food via a "self service" procedure. Clients now have to make a right turn into Koeneman Acres, drive to the end of the road and do a turn around and proceed to the roadblock on the lawn as they approach the CACFP.

Once there, they must STOP and read all of the instructions on the signs. They then call the food pantry staff at (618) 826-3141 to notify staff who they are and that they are ready to proceed.

Once they have permission, clients drive to the loaded food tables situated underneath the big blue and white tents provided by Menard Correctional Center, which give shelter to both staff and clients.

Only when directed, clients will get out of their automobiles and pick up the food they want. Food Pantry staffers will stay inside the pantry throughout the process until the food has been placed in the client's automobile and the clients are back in their vehicles and prepared to leave.

Social distancing procedures are in place to protect both food pantry staff and clients.