Pandemic expected to be particularly difficult for the elderly and socially isolated

MADA, a non-profit community center with a mission to care for people in need by providing basic necessities, today announced its COVID-19 emergency plan.

Specific measures include:

• Clients, volunteers and employees are asked to avoid MADA if they:

• • Have been in contact with anyone testing positive for COVID-19
  • Have been outside Quebec in the last 14 days
  • Are showing cold-like symptoms
• Children under 18 and seniors over 70 years of age are asked to avoid MADA until further notice.
• Clients, volunteers and employees will wear gloves and masks, and adhere to a strict social distancing policy.
• The Cafeteria remains open. All meals will be served in individually-wrapped containers for “take-out” only. Access to the building will be restricted. Meals will be distributed in a temporary tent in MADA’s parking lot.
• The Food Bank also remains open, but groceries will be distributed in pre-packed bags.
• Shabbat to Share food boxes will be delivered on Thursdays. Volunteers will leave boxes at clients’ doors. They will no longer be permitted to enter clients’ homes.
• All communal Passover Seders have been cancelled, however “Seder in a Box” will be available to clients who register online.
• Passover Food Baskets will be distributed as planned. Pick-up will be from a temporary tent in MADA’s parking lot.
• The Clothing Depot is closed until further notice. Donations of clothing may be deposited in bins in the nearby Decarie Square parking lot.
• The Furniture Depot is closed until further notice.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is hitting people all over the world,” says Rabbi Chaim Cohen, Executive Director, MADA. “At this difficult time, we are focused on caring for members of our immediate community – the elderly and often alone – who are among the most vulnerable in our society. We are committed to distributing food to as many people as possible. However, to reduce the risk of infection, all food will be for “take-out” only. While the reduction of personal human contact between clients and volunteers is a big loss for all concerned, it is necessary to protect public health. Our top priority remains our clients, whose needs are greater than ever during this unprecedented time. We thank everyone for their support and understanding.”

Founded in 1993, MADA is a volunteer-based organization that relies upon private donations from individuals and foundations. Based on the vision that protecting individual dignity is inseparable from the provision of care, we provide our patrons with social and crisis services free of charge and serve as a safe haven for those in need. MADA’s mission is to help people with the basic necessities of life, while helping them to become self-sufficient. MADA’s food bank feeds more than 4,500 people, on average, per month. Our cafeteria ends the loneliness and indignity of hunger in an uplifting environment. Friendly volunteers bring delicious meals directly to patrons’ tables, restaurant style. MADA also delivers meals and friendly visits to elderly patrons with limited mobility. Rooted in Jewish tradition and founded on a vision of caring, MADA welcomes, supports and embraces all people, irrespective of religion, race or nationality. MADA is committed to treating all people with dignity. Feeding people is often the end result but the approach involves opening hearts, acting as an extended family and treating people with respect. For more information on these and other services, please call(514) 342-4969 x 770 or visit www.madacenter.com .