Also, the food bank started restricting the number of people there, allowing only three clients at a time, then only serving one client at a time and allowing only one client in the waiting area. Contrast this with the fact that as many as 20 people or more used to be allowed in the waiting room.

Another change: people working at the pantry now clean carts and disinfect them in between clients, which they never used to do. Volunteers have begun cleaning surfaces – any they can find.

Susan says the changes are “unnerving.” But she believes them necessary.

More big changes are scheduled: “Beginning on April 1, you will no longer be able to come to the pantry to pick up your food,” reads a notice. “Staff or volunteers will be preparing food hampers that will be delivered to you.”

Many regular volunteers haven’t wanted to come into the food bank, feeling they are risking their health, the Littles said.

This past Monday, March 23, the Littles were the only volunteers there.

Susan can relate to and understand people’s fear.

“It’s been scary. We’re putting our health on the line,” she said.

They reached out for volunteers and had an “amazing” response of people coming in. A lot were school teachers, Susan said.

"Five to 10 people volunteered at the food bank every day this week that I’ve never seen before," she said.

The Littles believe volunteering is important, despite any worries they have.

Susan says she is a believer in showing compassion and paying it forward.

“We’re both Christians. There’s been a lot of talk about doing for others. That alone motivates us.”

For more information on the Newmarket Food Pantry, go to https://newmarketfoodpantry.ca/.

As a followup to an earlier story about how food banks were impacted by panic buying sparked by the coronavirus pandemic, reporter Simone Joseph wanted to check in with volunteers working on the front lines to see how they're coping, what drives them to give back and how the community is responding to the call for support.