After a temporary shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Cullman Caring for Kids food bank announced Friday evening via Facebook, that it would be open at its regular time Monday, but with restrictions.

In a video posted to Facebook Thursday evening, Caring for Kids Executive Director Javon Daniel announced that the organization would be closing its doors for the time being.

“I can’t tell you how much this hurts,” he said in the video. “This is only the second time, since I’ve been here in over 20 years, that we’ve actually had to close the food bank.”

A drive-thru only service will be set up Monday at the food bank, located at 402 Arnold St NE, from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. and from 1-3 p.m. The office is closed from noon to 1 p.m.

The post asks clients to “pull around like they usually do to get the food.”

Clients should not get out of their vehicle. 

In the video posted Thursday, Daniel said the priority for the organization is making sure everyone stays safe during the pandemic. 

“We want our clients to be safe, and we want our employees to be safe …” he said. 

For anyone who needs food assistance during school or work closures, there are several food pantries around the county and free meals that will be offered for children. 

The Cullman City School System is offering a grab and go breakfast and lunch that will be served out of the West Elementary cafeteria on March 23 and 25 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

Each child will be able to take home two breakfasts and two lunches on the 23rd, and three breakfasts and three lunches on the 25th. The free meals will be first come, first served to any child 18 or younger, and the child must be present in the vehicle to receive a meal.

The Cullman County School System will also be giving away meals to any child 18 or under who lives in Cullman County. Meals will be served on March 23, March 25 and March 27 from 10 a.m. to noon from Fairview High School, Good Hope High School, Hanceville High School, Harmony School, Holly Pond High School, Vinemont High School and West Point High School.

Other food pantries around the area include:

Cullman- located at St. Andrews Methodist Church on Main Avenue.

Cullman- located on 4th Street SE beside the Mary Carter Store. 

Vinemont- located at Flint Creek Baptist Church.

West Point- next to the West Point Town Hall.

Dodge City- located behind and to the west of Jack’s.

Good Hope- located in front of Good Hope City Hall.

Hanceville- located behind and to the north of the police station.