Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our team at Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen has prioritized the safety of our neighbors, guests, volunteers, and staff members. Like so many of you, we’ve had to make difficult decisions to protect the most vulnerable among us.
In March 2020, we transitioned to a grab-and-go meal service and temporarily ended indoor dining at the Soup Kitchen. We also have been limiting the number of volunteers at the Soup Kitchen to allow for social distancing and encouraging volunteers who may be at higher risk, or have household members who are at higher risk, to refrain from volunteering.
After reviewing the current data and guidance from New York City and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we have updated our COVID-19 policies for volunteering at the Soup Kitchen. Given the potential for COVID-19 exposure, as of Monday, August 16, we are requiring all of our volunteers to show proof they have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
When volunteers sign up for a shift in VolunteerHub, they will be prompted to sign a waiver attesting to their vaccination status. Before a volunteer shift, volunteers will receive another email with a link to upload proof of vaccination. Volunteers may also opt to show proof of vaccination when they arrive for their volunteer shift in lieu of uploading the documents online. We will accept Excelsior passes, vaccine cards, or photos of vaccine cards as proof of vaccination.
The health and well-being of all those in our community continue to be our top priority. Our friends at Daybreak Health are at the Soup Kitchen each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10AM-2PM offering vaccines to our guests and to anyone else who may want to be vaccinated. The team at Daybreak is here to answer questions, provide information and resources, and assist our community in getting vaccinated. No appointments are required and anyone age 12 or older is welcome to get vaccinated at the Soup Kitchen.
We are also continuing to require all guests, staff, and volunteers to wear masks while inside the Soup Kitchen. We thank all those who support the Soup Kitchen for your understanding as we work to both serve our guests and keep our community safe.
