COVID-19 Response Plan

We are OPEN for Drive-thru pantry service. Please arrive at your normal pantry time. Foot traffic should receive grocery bags at the back door. New guests are welcome 5-6:30pm. Please keep good social distancing practices in mind.

As you are aware, the situation has been evolving. We are keeping informed and being advised by expert sources and will respond appropriately which may include cancellations or closure. Please check this page or call our 978-369-2275 to check for updates.

Please know that the Open Table Board cares deeply about our community of Guests, Volunteers and Staff and is taking the outbreak of this virus seriously.

The health and safety of our guests, volunteers and staff is of utmost priority. We understand that in these uncertain times more people may face food insecurity, and those already at risk of hunger may have less access to healthy food, so we are doing everything we can to continue providing food for those in need, while keeping social distancing and other recommended procedures in mind. We appreciate your patience, understanding, and support. By working together, we can get through this crisis together.

Open Table has always adhered to strict food safety measures. During this time of uncertainty and evolving conditions related to the coronavirus (COVID-19), Open Table is taking additional measures to reduce the risk of inadvertent exposure and spread of this communicable disease. This includes more frequent sanitizing, providing individually packed meals, and measures to reduce multi-person handling of food items in our pantry.

We are also modifying some of our programs, as noted below.

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Pantry Service is OPEN!

During this crisis, Open Table will be implementing “drive-thru” pantry service. Guests arriving by other means of transportation (walking, biking, etc) will, of course, also be served. Guests should keep their regular appointments during these times.

Our pantry will be open during regular operating hours (we will be open rain or shine!):

Tuesday 1:00-6:30 pm
Thursday 1:00-4:30 pm

Drive-Thru Plan

Pantry distribution will be available in the Maynard Municipal Parking Lot located between Summer Street and Main Street. Please enter from Summer Street (across from the Fine Arts Theater). Guests will remain in their cars; volunteers will load pre-packed bags into the cars. Please do your best to arrive at your standard time; if you arrive early you may be asked to park in an area municipal lot and return at your appointment time.

Walkers and Other Arrivals

If you typically come to Open Table by public transportation, bike, walking, etc, please come to the walk-up table in the parking lot to receive your pre-packed bags.

Pre-packed Bags

Open Table will provide each family pre-packed bags of groceries, with amounts of items based upon family size. The bags will include canned and dry goods, fresh dairy, fresh produce, protein options, and optional prepared meals. We appreciate your understanding in this change to our normal full-choice pantry; we are working to assure all guests have adequate healthy food for the week.

Parking Information

In order to ease congestion in the municipal parking lot behind Open Table to ensure steady flow of our drive-thru Pantry, we suggest that volunteers do not park in that lot. Volunteers are always welcome to park in the River Street Municipal lot (parking fees are waived for Open Table), just a short walk away. And there are other municipal lots in the area.

Community Meals Suspended

As of Thursday, March 12th, all Open Table community meals are suspended. There will be no community dinners in Concord or Maynard and no senior Lunches.

We deeply regret that this action is necessary, but health experts have stressed the importance of social distancing measures, and while we have expanded our already stringent food safety measures, it would be impossible to serve our community meals with everyone maintaining a distance of 6 feet. We are sorry for the loss of community and for those that rely on our healthy meals.

If you have questions, please contact us at info@opentable.org or 978-369-2275

Information for Volunteers

As you know, we are primarily a volunteer-driven organization; we can’t get food to those in need without you. We continue to need volunteers for pantry setup and distribution throughout the current crisis. If you are healthy and feel able to work your shifts, please do so, but be ware of additional measures in place to help assure safe delivery of food. These measures include:

Wash your hands in our restrooms and use provided hand sanitizer upon arrival and periodically during your visit or shift.
Wear disposable gloves and face masks (provided).
When using disposable gloves for food prep or serving, change them more frequently.
Avoid interpersonal physical contact. Wave, smile and say kind words instead.
Cover your nose and mouth if you sneeze or cough (and then wash your hands).
If you have access to a face mask, please wear it during your shift.

Please do not enter our facility if:

You have had a known exposure to COVID-19, or other respiratory illnesses.
You or anyone in your family, including your children, have any fever or flu-like symptoms, even if mild, or those of an upper respiratory infection (such as headache, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, cough, etc).

If you have any questions, contact your shift leader or email us at volunteer@opentable.org. If you are unable to attend, please let us know.