I'd been searching pantries on social media, I came across Manna and I'd been following their posts of their process, and hours for a couple weeks. I didn't really like the sound of, or really feel it's right their policy of requiring such personal info of photo ID nor in addition a utility bill for additional proof of residency. Seems a bit demeaning to receive assistance of food that is donated to themselves to give food aide to the public and I feel a different monitoring process can be implemented, but by the same token I kind of get their take on it, but if you must physical documentation maybe only require a utility bill.
I was able to get there Tues April 25th 5:28 P.M. I got in the building at 5:30. In a unwelcoming manner and tone I was greeted: "How can I help you"? by a average build and height olive complected man, 65 -70s with 3 inch length grey hair with a parted bang on his forehead who I assume to be of a management or supervisor position. I didn't expect his unwelcoming manner to progress and progress. I said "Hi, I'm here for the pantry". He says "You want some food?" with a condescending countenance and manner of tone that seemed to say 'Is that what you're saying?' I'm thinking you just said precisely what I responded to your greeting but in different words; you run a pantry I responded I'm there for the pantry. I said "Yes please".
Jerking me around and giving me the runaround he says "I can't get to you today, I'm too full, there's 4 people ahead of you, and we close in 15 minutes, have you ever been here before?" I said "No". Their social media post 4/25, Tues operation hours posted on the door nor their social media page says 5:45 for Tues which is around what time 15 minutes from the time I entered would be, they were stated as 6P.M. I didn't get there within 5 minutes of close or even 15 minutes, 30 minutes, I made absolute sure not to get there no later than 30 mins of advertised close time.
I could see denying a caller who arrived timely if inventory was out. If there's a process or policy you do not want callers 30 mins or less before close when their hours are posted each open day on social media, they're posting inaccurate hours to say 3-6 without speaking to a process of no more clients after a certain time which can be as early as 30 mins before our posted close time if there are too many ahead of you this way people aren't losing much needed resources getting there.
When someone is choosing to behave harsh and stating untruths, I'm certainly not going to start attempting to counter or argue.
I saw a total of 4 staff; himself and another staff were literally just standing there in front of the desk/counter facing the entrance when I entered, a third between the desk and entrance, 3 of them, just standing there, but they're "too full" to get to me or least one of them take 5 mins to put me together a staff packed/picked to go box which would be the respectable thing to do, however, I was full-on denied any food assistance for that evening. A fourth staff was outside to cart a caller's items to his vehicle and was finished in literally 2 mins.
It's easy to call what your opinion is what check in process timing of a food pantry should be to document someone's ID and utility bill, but my opinion is absolute tops 5 minutes.The only interjection either of the other staff made was the woman near the door with auburn hair mid 50s to 60 somewhat tried to be friendly and helpful by adding "They get here about 30 mins before open and start lining up" and briefed me of hours of operation that I can return. The other staff standing behind the man to his side, a woman 65-70, with bob styled hair had no interjection or even said so much as have a good evening or we're sorry. I'd rather not revisit a pantry where I experienced a stifling, defiant and unwelcoming environment. You never know what someone is going through or what resources it costed or caused them to get to the pantry; In addition to food I was hoping for toiletry items I'm in need of to be available. I feel the breathtaking way I was treated was personal someone got a waive of hatefulness come upon himself and acted on it because he felt privy, and suggested: What are YOU doing here, I wouldn't mind if you JUST LEFT.