MENDOTA – Mendota Area Christian Food Pantry executive director Tracy Cooper wants everyone to know they are still providing food and household items to area residents. There are some changes in how food is distributed, however.

For everyone’s safety, clients no longer come inside the building. Instead, all distributions are done outside and they are all prepackaged. “We pick out the items and pack them in bags and boxes, which are then placed on tables set up outside,” Cooper explained. “People drive up and we load the food in their car. They don’t have to sign for anything and they don’t get out at all. It’s completely no-contact and we wear masks and gloves all the time.”

Even though people are not going inside and picking out their own food, Cooper emphasized that they still get the same amount in the packages, which include meat, eggs, dairy, bread, canned goods and some household items. When the distribution is done for the day, the tables are taken back inside and everything is cleaned.

As an added precaution, volunteers are no longer helping at the food pantry. “Many of our volunteers are elderly and we don’t want to take the chance, so it’s just me and Dan,” Cooper said. “We are both paid employees, but we have also been putting in volunteer hours to get everything done.”

With so many people now out of work, Cooper has seen an increase in new clients as well as some former clients who have come back, but the pantry has had no problem getting food so far. “The food bank we use has gotten some nice donations and they’re passing that on to us at no cost,” she said. “There have been very large donations made to Feeding America and we are a part of that food bank.”

As for local donations, Cooper is requesting monetary donations only during the pandemic. Checks can be mailed to Mendota Area Christian Food Pantry, 918 Main St., Mendota, IL 61342.

The Mendota Area Christian Food Pantry serves residents of Mendota, LaMoille, Earlville, Sublette Troy Grove and Triumph. Distribution is done on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30-10:30 a.m.

Cooper said anyone in need of food should call a day ahead so they have enough packages prepared, but she noted that they still do emergency bags as well.

To sign up for food or for other information, Cooper may be contacted by phone from 9-11 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday at (815) 538-2211.

“I wanted to get the word out because some people told me they thought the pantry was closed,” Cooper said. “But even though the sign on the door says ‘closed’ we are still open and distributing food.”