Meals pantry quickly closes after volunteer accused of sexual misconduct

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — 5 Loaves Meals Pantry will quickly near implement new insurance policies after they are saying an individual who volunteered with them within the fall of 2022 was accused of sexual misconduct.

A spokesperson for the pantry mentioned they haven’t any cause to imagine any misconduct occurred at 5 Loaves.

“We imagine transparency is required to be cautious and keep a spot of sanctity and security the place folks can obtain meals throughout their time of want,” the meals pantry mentioned.

5 Loaves mentioned they’ve applied insurance policies to guard their purchasers and volunteers, together with:

• Periodically confirm new purchasers and volunteers towards the Virginia Intercourse Offender Registry and Virginia Arrest Data.
• If obligatory, discuss to folks about expectations and proper habits.
• No volunteer underneath 18 years of age will likely be allowed to exit with purchasers with out the specific permission of their dad and mom.
  • If they’re underneath 13 years of age, they can not go away the distribution desk or go away with out their dad and mom or guardians.
• Minors are all the time throughout the sight and listening to of their dad and mom through the time they’re volunteering or receiving meals.
• Non-volunteers who want to make use of the restrooms are escorted to and from the restrooms. The escort waits outdoors the lavatory till the visitor is completed after which is escorted outdoors.
• Ask church buildings and associate organizations to display screen their volunteers and notify us instantly of any issues.

5 Loaves mentioned that beginning this month, the pantry will start requiring all returning volunteers to endure background checks, together with arrest alerts and ongoing legal file monitoring.

“Whereas it will create further overhead and a matter of time, the security of our volunteers and purchasers, younger and outdated, is a place we contemplate of utmost significance,” the pantry mentioned in an announcement. “We’re endowed with the starvation and look after the least, the final and the misplaced, and that should embrace their security when they’re right here.”

As they undertake the brand new coverage, the pantry is closing its doorways till it may be applied and is reaching out to its volunteers to obtain their consent to start the method.

5 Loaves mentioned they may publish each day on their Fb web page what their standing is for the day.

“With the implementation of the brand new fundamental coverage, we anticipate not solely a rise in monetary assist however, extra importantly, voluntary assist,” the pantry mentioned.

For data on tips on how to volunteer at 5 Loaves Meals Pantry, click on right here.

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