Hope’s Corner Makes Temporary Switch to “To Go” Breakfasts - Update as of 3/18/2020
As the local community contends with the COVID-19 virus, Hope’s Corner continues to provide free hot breakfasts and sack lunches on Saturday mornings to homeless, low-income, and vulnerable individuals from Mountain View and surrounding communities. However, changes to the meals program were made, effective Saturday, March 14. Until further notice, breakfasts will be provided “to go” rather than as a “sit down” service in order to limit potential exposure and transmission of the virus among guests and volunteers. The on-site shower and laundry program that normally operates on Thursday and Saturday mornings has been suspended until further notice.
Under normal circumstances, Hope’s Corner serves a full, hot “sit down” breakfast to about 200 guests every Saturday, giving guests the opportunity to choose food from a serving line and socialize while eating. In order to curb the spread of COVID-19, hot breakfasts are now being distributed in “to go” containers. Typical breakfast items in the “to go” containers include eggs, potatoes, sausage or other protein source, and a cooked vegetable. Hot beverages and utensils are also provided. On-site dining is no longer allowed.
Hope’s Corner continues to provide breakfast guests with a “to go” sack lunch, as was done under normal circumstances. Additional food is being provided in the sack lunches, such as a hard-boiled egg and fresh fruit, to make them more substantial in order to help tide guests over until their next meal.
Hope’s Corner has taken other measures to preserve the health and well-being of guests and volunteers. These measures include increased cleaning and sanitizing of public and working spaces, greater availability of hand sanitizers, and eliminating guests’ self-service access to hot beverages. In addition, Hope’s Corner is providing health information on the COVID-19 virus in English, Spanish, and Chinese.
These changes present new challenges and expenses for Hope’s Corner. Additional expenses include the costs of “to go” containers and larger bags needed to hold both the breakfast container and lunch items. Hope’s Corner will also need to purchase more high-protein snack food items for lunches since these items are less available from partner organizations. Travel-size hand sanitizer will also be purchased, if any is available. Support from the public to cover these additional costs is appreciated.
Donations are accepted at http://www.hopes-corner.org/donate.
Our sincerest thank you, as we continue to support those in our community most in need.