The Well at Sunnyside, a free store and food pantry at 721 S. Fayette St. in Washington C.H., is implementing new changes that it says will be more convenient for the community.
Starting Oct. 3, shopping at The Well at Sunnyside will be by appointment only.
This is different from in the past when all of the clients would simultaneously shop.
“Shopping was done by a number system,” said Chiquita Nash, director at The Well, which resulted in long lines. Additionally, Nash said, “They could shop once a week and now it’s going to be once a month.”
The Well does not have the resources to allow its clients to shop by appointment each week, said Nash.
Nash said The Well at Sunnyside has served about 500 different households so far this year.
“We usually serve about 130 households a month, sometimes more,” said Nash. “We have over 2,600 cases, which is 2,600 households, but they don’t always come. Sometimes they come at different times. It just depends on their situation.”
Nash said the reason The Well is changing the system to appointment-only is to gain more one-on-one time with the clients.
“We want to be able to have more time with them, we want to pray with them, see what their needs are, and make sure we’re helping them, not with just their physical needs but with their spiritual needs as well,” said Nash.
In addition Nash said personal shoppers will help people during their appointments, too, and there’s paperwork.
“There is new paperwork each household has to fill out. Once they get that filled out and show documentation for everyone in their house they can begin. Their shopping will stay the same, they’ll get the same amount of time that they have in the past, but they’ll just have to make an appointment to do so. We think it will make it easier for them and more convenient, and for us,” said Nash.
To make an appointment at The Well at Sunnyside, people can call the main line at 740-333-5088, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Beginning Oct. 3, appointments will be scheduled between the hours of 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Mondays, and from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday and Thursday.
Nash said clothing of all sizes and personal care products are the most needed items at The Well. This includes shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, toilet paper, and detergent pods.
“If they just bring one item, that is one person served. Nothing is too small,” said Nash.
People interested in making donations may drop off the items at The Well. The Well also accepts monetary donations and is a tax-exempt organization.
“We are so blessed with the community. We are having an open house October 2 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and anybody and everybody is welcome to come and see all of the changes that we have made,” said Nash.
