To the S.A.F.E. Food Pantry Community,

As events move rapidly each day and we all adjust to social distancing as the new normal, we hope that you are able to stay safe and healthy. Please know that we are doing our best to advocate for those facing food insecurity while dealing with health issues requiring gluten free and allergy-friendly food.
 
To serve our existing clients during this health crisis, we are implementing the S.A.F.E. Food Pantry Emergency Assistance Program so our clients get access to the food they need to stay healthy.   Our Board of Directors approved this program because we are unable to provide gluten free and allergy-friendly food through our partners at this time. Households that submitted an application prior to March 15, 2020 and were approved for services at the Howard County Food Bank or the Emergency Food Pantry can apply for a one-time $50 grocery store gift card to purchase gluten free and allergy-friendly items.  Grocery store gift cards are available for Giant Food, Harris Teeter, Safeway, or Wegmans.  The fastest way to apply is online at our website.  You can also call or text us at 443-741-1060, or email us at info@safefoodpantry.org .  We will return your message as soon as possible.

Our food pantry partners continue to operate in accordance with local, state, and national guidance as follows:

• Howard County Food Bank –The Community Action Council’s Howard County Food Bank is still providing prepared bags of food instead of allowing clients to shop for their food as normally done.  This means that there is no access to the S.A.F.E. Food Pantry shelves to obtain gluten free and allergy-friendly food.  We encourage you to go to the Howard County Food Bank despite this limitation. You will still have the opportunity to select fresh produce and meat as you get the prepared bag of food.  We urge S.A.F.E. clients at this location to participate in the new S.A.F.E. Food Pantry Emergency Assistance Program described above.  Food distribution is on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 1-4PM and by appointment on Wednesday evening from 5-8PM and Saturday morning from 9AM-12PM.  Please monitor the CAC website for distribution announcements.
• Emergency Food Pantry  - The building housing the Emergency Food Pantry is not open to the public.  Current clients may be able to obtain a prepared bag of regular food from their referral organization, depending on availability.  S.A.F.E. has stopped distributing food from this location.  S.A.F.E. clients at this location may request help through the new S.A.F.E. Food Pantry Emergency Assistance Program described above.
  

 
S.A.F.E. Food Pantry looks forward to resuming normal distribution activity as soon as circumstances allow.  We remain ready and willing to serve those needing safe food.
 
Stay safe and healthy!
 
Warm regards,
Tiffany Holtzman
Founder & Board President
S.A.F.E. Food Pantry

P.S. Your financial support will help us restock our food pantries for the influx of families we anticipate seeing in the future.  Food allergies, celiac disease, and gluten sensitivity don’t discriminate based on age, gender, ethnicity, zip code, or income.  We will have families who are hurting, so please consider making an online donation or Text-to-Donate Give2SAFE to 44-321.  If you have donated recently, thank you again for your support!

To the S.A.F.E. Food Pantry Community,

We understand that this is a difficult time for the entire population. We also recognize that for those facing health issues involving food allergies, celiac disease, and gluten sensitivity, managing these difficulties can be even more challenging.  S.A.F.E. Food Pantry is actively working with its partners to make food available to the extent it is possible while following the guidance of local, state, and national authorities. 
 
Our food pantry partners have modified their activities in keeping with guidance issued to date. S.A.F.E. Food Pantry will, in turn,  modify its activities as follows:

• Food Distribution
  • Howard County Food Bank – To encourage social distancing, our partner, the Community Action Council’s Howard County Food Bank, will be providing prepared bags of food instead of allowing clients to shop for their food as normally done.  This means that there will be no access to the S.A.F.E. Food Pantry shelves to obtain gluten free and allergy-friendly food.  We encourage  you to  go to the Howard County Food Bank despite this limitation. You will still have the opportunity to select fresh produce and meat  as you get the prepared bag of food.  Food distribution will start on Tuesday, March 17 during normal distribution hours from 1-4PM.  Please monitor the CAC website for distribution announcements.
  • Emergency Food Pantry – Due to a reduction in staff and volunteers, current Emergency Food Pantry clients must check with their referral organization for access to the Emergency Food Pantry.  S.A.F.E. has a limited supply of gluten free and allergy-friendly food available on its shelves. Due to grocery store restrictions, we may not be able to replenish the S.A.F.E. shelves at the Emergency Food Pantry as we would prefer.  At this time, we are unable to accept new applications. If you have any questions, please call or text S.A.F.E. at 443-741-1060 or email us at info@safefoodpantry.org  We will respond as quickly as we can.
  • Cleaning – Our partners have started additional cleaning procedures to include wiping high-touch surfaces down more often, making available and using gloves, and other new safety protocols to ensure the health and well-being of all who visit their premises.
• Food for Thought –The Howard County Library System has closed its branches until the end of March following guidance from the CDC and state authorities.  As a result, our first quarter 2020 Food for Thought session has been cancelled.  We will make an announcement regarding future Food for Thought sessions after the library system reopens to the public.
• Volunteers – Out of an abundance of caution, we are asking current volunteers to help us virtually.  There will be no new volunteer opportunities scheduled at this time. We look forward to posting new volunteer opportunities after this health crisis has passed. 

Here are some helpful resources:

• Howard County Health Department website and Information Line at 410-313-6284
• CDC Guidance on Managing Anxiety and Stress
• American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology’s Important Information about COVID-19 for Those with Asthma  

S.A.F.E. Food Pantry will resume normal activity at the same time our food pantry partners do.  At that point, we will have families in dire need of gluten free and allergy-friendly food.  Please consider making an online donation or Text-to-Donate Give2SAFE to 44-321.  Your monetary donations will help us purchase the most critically needed items to restock our shelves to help our clients.
 
Stay safe and healthy!
 
Warm regards,
Tiffany Holtzman
Founder & Board President
S.A.F.E. Food Pantry

We often think that disasters happen in other places, but we have recently learned that is just not true.  The devastation in our very own community has been beyond comprehension.  The lives of so many people changed forever on that July 30, 2016 evening in Ellicott City.

As with any nonprofit organization, we need you in order to serve our community.  If you would like to help us with our mission to provide gluten free and allergy friendly food to those in need, you can, in no particular order:

1. Drop off your food donation in the plastic bin located at One Dish Cuisine located at 8001 Hillsborough Road in Ellicott City.  We will distribute to our partner food pantries – the Howard County Food Bank and Bridgeway Community Cupboard. 
2. Contact us at 443-741-1060 or info@safefoodpantry.org if you have a large food donation and need pickup service within Howard County, Maryland.
3. Donate online on our website at http://www.safefoodpantry.org/donate.html
4. Send a check in any amount to our mailing address:  S.A.F.E. Food Pantry, 5305 Village Center Drive, Suite 274, Columbia, MD  21044.
5. Make your Amazon purchases through our AmazonSmile account - https://smile.amazon.com/ch/47-2487522
6. Donate a percentage of your eBay sales - http://charity.ebay.com/charity-auctions/charity/s-a-f-e-supplying-allergy-friendly-and-emergency-food-pantry-inc/115004/
7. Join our all-volunteer organization as a volunteer - http://www.safefoodpantry.org/volunteer.html