The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Feeding the hungry during tough times
Madison Food Center meets challenges of serving clients’ needs throughout pandemic
As 2020 began, leaders at the Madison Food Center began thinking about ways to commemorate the organization’s 15th anniversary, which takes place in November.
But all that brainstorming came to an abrupt halt when the novel coronavirus pandemic cast its dark shadow over the United States.
“We were in the middle of planning (the 15th anniversary celebration) when (COVID-19) happened,” said Maureen O’Toole, board president of the community food pantry.
At that point, O’Toole, her fellow board members, and Madison Food Center Co-Directors Chris Van Dusen and Ricki Petersen focused instead on how to meet an expected increase in clients stemming from the pandemic.
“We were like, ‘Let’s meet these needs right now,’ “O’Toole said.
Located at 1954 Hubbard Road in Madison Township, the nonprofit center has dealt with a variety of challenges and made various adjustments in its quest to keep feeding hungry individuals and families in the Madison area.
Starting in mid-March and extending into April when COVID-19 began decimating Ohio’s economy and the unemployment rate soared, the Madison Food Center began seeing an influx of a lot of new families, Van Dusen said.
However, the Madison Food Center also was able to bolster its inventory of food for clients, thanks to local financial contributions.
“At the same time, we were getting a lot of cash donations from the community and businesses who knew we would need extra money,” O’Toole said.
Van Dusen said the generosity of local residents helped immensely.
“So we are able to purchase those things from local stores that support us throughout the year,” she said.
In addition, Van Dusen said the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, which supplies pantries around the region, has done a fine job in helping Madison Food Center to keep its clients well-fed throughout the pandemic.
With an increased number of Madison area residents seeking help from the center because of COVID-19, the organization also was pleased to get a temporary boost in volunteer helpers, which came in the form of local Ohio Highway Patrol troopers.
Back in April, troopers from the Chardon and Ashtabula OHP posts spent a few weeks volunteering at the Madison Food Center.
“We had Highway Patrol troopers meeting with people at their cars and putting (packages of food) into their trunks,” Van Dusen said.
Because of the health and safety risks associated with COVID-19, Madison Food Center changed its procedures of how clients receive food. Although the center is still open to the public from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m. to noon Fridays, clients no longer come inside to shop as they would at a normal grocery store.
“At this point, we shop for them,” O’Toole said.
Under the new system, volunteers stationed in the parking lot will approach clients’ cars as they pull in.
“They go over to the car and get their name,” O’Toole said. “We have their information in here about how many people are in their family. How many children they have, how many are adults and seniors. So we try to choose (food for them) accordingly.”
After the volunteers have assembled a package of food for a client, they take it outside and load it into his or her car.
If someone pulls into the Madison Food Center parking lot for the first time, they would be scheduled for an introductory interview.
“We have paperwork for everybody that comes in (initially) and we ask specific if there’s something specific that you need, please let us know,” Van Dusen said.
Likewise, the center finds out if a client has any dietary restrictions that must be followed, O’Toole said.
The center not only provides food, but also personal care and household items needed by clients.
While the Madison Food Center always has enjoyed strong backing from the community as a whole, the organization also benefits from its dedicated group of volunteers.
“Our volunteers come ready to work and do what is needed,” O’Toole said. “They’re excited about working. They’re kind and generous. They’re confidential.”
The center has a roster of about 250 volunteers. In fact, there are no paid employees at the food center. Even the two co-directors provide their services for free.
O’Toole said people can help the Madison Food Center with cash donations, by sponsoring community food drives, or volunteering. To learn more, call the center at 440-428-9601.
Throughout its history, the Madison Food Center has faced its share of tough times and challenges, but somehow, the organization’s needs are always met, O’Toole said.
“So we’re very, very lucky in that way,” she said. “The Madison community is really supportive.”