Greetings Grate Patrol Volunteers,
I pray all is well and that you’re staying safe and healthy. This email is to give you an update and the plan for Grate Patrol moving forward. Grate Patrol has been operating successfully throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue providing our homeless neighbors a meal, beverage, and other resources (underwear, socks, t-shirts, hygiene kits, etc.) daily. I would like to thank the volunteer groups that have continued support of Grate Patrol during the pandemic with monetary donations, donations of canned foods/nonperishables, toiletries, and some who have provided bagged meals and bottled water. We are in the process of reinstating volunteers for those groups ready to start back with Grate Patrol.
The plan is to reinstate volunteers in August 2020, commencing on August 18 for the our Rotary Club. I will send out our Genius Sign Up Roster for volunteers to sign up. Safety is always a priority, so I understand if some are not ready.
Our volunteer groups have the option of doing the following:
- Prepare meals (bagged lunches or casseroles) to be picked up by Grate Patrol staff or dropped off by the volunteer group.
- Make monetary donations.
- Drive your personal vehicle and follow behind the Grate Patrol truck (to maintain social distancing).
In order to maintain social distancing, volunteers are not allowed to ride along on the Grate Patrol truck (for the safety of volunteers and staff). Volunteers are asked to drive their personal vehicle and follow behind the truck. No more than 2-3 volunteers are needed. You have the option of meeting the truck at our Harbor Light Center located at 2100 New York Ave., NE, WDC 20002 or the First Stop (Union Station). You will follow behind the truck to each stop and one volunteer will distribute beverages on the outside of the truck and 2 volunteers will serve the meal from inside the truck. Face masks and gloves must be worn at all times. Gloves and hand sanitizer are available and stocked on the truck.