By Lisa Carolin
More changes will take place at Faith in Action beginning on Monday, March 24, in response to Covid-19.
The Chelsea FIA location will change its hours for at least the next few weeks, and the Dexter FIA location will temporarily close until at least mid-May.
The new hours for Chelsea will be Monday and Wednesday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and FIA will be closed on Friday.
FIA Executive Director Sheri Montoye says the changes will allow more time for restocking and deep cleaning and will extend shopping times to the evening for families.
The clothing room remains closed until further notice, and FIA is not accepting any clothing or household donations.
However, FIA is accepting food donations, which can be left by either the front door or the back door in the southwest corner during work hours. Please call to notify staff when you drop off food. If you need a receipt, leave a note with your donation bag that includes your contact information.
Anyone needing food is asked to call FIA at 734-475-3305. Anyone needing financial help, social work support, or any other type of FIA assistance, is asked to call FIA and ask for a social worker.
Staff are not available for face-to-face conversations, and food orders will be delivered at the front curb. No volunteers are needed at this time, which means FIA’s essential staff is being extra vigilant to maintain a safe and healthy work environment and provide food and crucial supportive services to those in the community who need them.
Montoye advises, “If your family is in need of emergency food, and your income falls within 200 percent of the federal poverty level, call us and see if we can help. We know there are many questions about income and eligibility at this time, and we are also rapidly working to learn as much as we can about available resources. Additional help can be found by calling United Way by dialing 211 or by visiting: https://www.uwwashtenaw.org/contact-us.”
Faith in Action needs financial donations at this time, which provide most of its operating funds.
“This health event will increase our need for the coming months which makes your donation more important than ever,” said Montoye. “Funds allow us to maintain services during this emergency as we keep food on our shelves, address emergency needs, and maintain critical staffing levels.”
Donations can be made online via paypal at www.faithinaction1.org, or via facebook https://www.facebook.com/FIA.ChelseaDexter/.
