SSPM Changes in Reaction to the Corona Virus

We want to make things as safe as possible for our volunteers and guests.  With that being said, we also want to still help people that need our services.  

We will not be offering financial assistance on 12/22/2020, but will be offering our drive-thru grocery pickup as usual.

We will be closed for the holidays on 12/29/2020, reopening on 1/5/2021.

Effective October 29, 2020, and continuing for the foreseeable future, we will make the following changes to the way we help with financial assistance:

• Due to overwhelming demand, and our limited funds for the remainder of 2020, only residents of Bentonville, Centerton, or Bella Vista will be eligible for financial help.  All other areas in Benton County will not be considered for financial assistance.
• If you are requesting help with utilities, you MUST have a shut off notice.
• If you are requesting help with rent, you MUST have an eviction notice.
• All other current pantry processes will remain the same as stated in the following:

Effective July 7, 2020, and continuing for the foreseeable future, we will make the following changes to the way we help those in need:

• We will offer "Drive Up/Walk Up' grocery pickup at our normal pantry door - guests will line up on the North side of the church and won't be allowed in the church
  
• Our hours will now be 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm, and a later shift has been added of 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
• All other current pantry processes will remain the same as stated in the following:

• We will still be offering help for utilities that are in a "shutoff" situation, help with rent with an eviction notice, or help with gasoline vouchers
• All of the same rules apply as before (your household can only be helped once per calendar year, and you must be a resident of Benton County)
• Email your benevolence request to 2ndstpantrybenevolence@gmail.com by 5pm on Monday with ALL of the following information
• Attach a photo copy your ID (Driver's License)
• Describe your request for financial help in detail - what help are you requesting?
• Give us a phone number where you can be contacted - you will be interviewed by our volunteer at this phone number
• List the first and last name of all individuals living in your household, and your current address
• If you want help with your utilities - attach a picture of your latest utility bill
• If you want help with your rent - attach a picture of your eviction notice and provide contact information for your landlord (name and phone number) - If we cannot contact your landlord your request will be denied!
• Make sure all photos submitted with your request are readable!
• Any incomplete information will be returned to you for further clarification. 
• All other current pantry processes will remain the same as stated in the following:

Effective March 17, 2020, and continuing for the foreseeable future, we will make the following changes to the way we help those in need:

• All benevolence (financial) help will be suspended.  This will be restarted effective June 8, 2020.
• Our Tuesday Night Dinner will be suspended
• We will offer "Drive Up/Walk Up' grocery pickup at our normal pantry door - guests will line up on the North side of the church and won't be allowed in the church
• Our hours will now be 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm (subject to change)
• You will no longer need to arrive at 8:00 am to pick up a number to determine your processing order
• As guests line up on the North side of the church, to wait your turn, please leave adequate space between you and the family ahead of you
• When you arrive at the pantry door, you will verbally give your name, and then your groceries will be placed on a table by the pantry door
• You will then need to transport your groceries back to your vehicle
• There will still be the 3 parking spaces in front of the pantry door for those that prefer to drive up, however, you must not block traffic on 2nd Street while you are waiting for one of these 3 parking spaces to open up 

We hope that everyone will work with us through this difficult time, as all of these new processes are subject to change.