While everyone has their own methods for keeping themselves safe and healthy while gleaning, we wanted to pass along our safety recommendations to you as well. These are, of course, only recommendations, and we also recommend that you keep up with the current FDA guidelines. Check out this video if you are interested in seeing what gleaning safely looks like in practice.
1. Wear a mask. We recommend wearing a mask or other improvised facial covering at all times while gleaning. If you are handy with a sewing machine, you can use these specs to make your own cloth mask. Thanks to a generous individual, Glean Kentucky has a small quantity of cloth masks for our volunteers. If you need a mask, reach out to our coordinator, Jimmy [[email protected]].
2. Wear gloves. Wear gloves at all times while gleaning. Latex gloves are great, but if you don’t have access to those, garden gloves with the rubber coating on the underside work well, too. We recommend washing them and your hands after every gleaning trip.
3. Follow all safety recommendations while picking up donations. Call ahead and let store staff know that you are on your way. Maintain 6 ft. distance from others while in receiving areas.
4. Call ahead the recipient agency contact before you arrive. Call the recipient and let them know that you are on your way.
5. Unload your donations safely. Some recipients have areas outside where you can safely unload donations. If not, call the recipient and ask how they prefer to coordinate drop off. They can either send a staff member to unload your vehicle while you stay inside it or you an unload your vehicle and a staff member can get it after you are finished. It is critical that you maintain proper social distance.
6. Wash or sanitize your hands before, during, and after your glean. Remember, wash for 20 seconds with soap and water or it doesn’t count.
7. If you are feeling sick please cancel your gleaning and STAY HOME! Gleaning with any symptoms is not safe and not acceptable no matter what.
8. If you are experiencing seasonal allergies and you are visibly or audibly congested, sneezy, etc., please STAY HOME! Glean Kentucky has dozens of volunteers and you aren’t causing us any harm by canceling. Please keep yourself and others safe, and stay home.
If you have any questions about any of this at all, please get in touch with us. We appreciate your partnership in keeping everyone safe as we provide this critical services to people in need across Central Kentucky.