Covid-19 volunteer guidelines

An update on the current standings of our volunteer services at DARTS during this COVID-19 crisis.

The Minnesota Department of Health has recently released the following information: https://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2020/covid031320.html

The following updates have been made to volunteer services at DARTS.

If comfortable, Grocery Shoppers may still provide this service for clients; however, volunteers will not be able to perform the shopping with clients per the guidelines set out by the Minnesota Department of Health and the CDC.

Clients can give Grocery Shoppers money to buy the groceries, and Grocery Shoppers can pick up the groceries and deliver them to the client’s house. Many clients have been leaving an envelope with the payment at the time the volunteer is expected to arrive. The volunteer then picks up the food and afterwards leaves the food on the porch or front/back steps.

Volunteers are to call and check in with clients first, before arriving at their house, to see if they are feeling okay and to inform that the volunteer is feeling okay.

If volunteers do not feel comfortable providing this service for the client or if the client refuses the service, please let us know and DARTS will contact the client with an alternate way to get their groceries. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Angela at angela.liedke@darts1.org.

All Respite and Visiting volunteering is temporarily suspended in order to make sure both clients and volunteers stay safe. Volunteers may call clients to check in and chat with them. This helps keep the connection between volunteer and client strong and prevents social isolation.

If the client needs resources, volunteers may ask clients if it is okay for someone from DARTS to give them a call. If this is the case, contact Angela at angela.liedke@darts1.org to let her know.

In both cases, DARTS will be sure to let both the grocery shoppers and respite/visiting volunteers know of any updates. If you have questions at any time, please feel free to reach out!

Thank you to all our volunteers for all you do.

Stay safe and take care.