What is COCDRE doing during the COVID-19 Outbreak

Here at COCDRE, we are keenly aware of the current COVID-19 pandemic. It is our duty to maintain a high level of food safety, and to those ends we are regularly inspected by the FDA and USDA to make sure we are in compliance with Federal and State requirements. Beyond those inspections we are very mindful of affecting the health of those we are hoping to help after a major disaster. We have an active Food Defense Plan in place at our warehouse, involving Food Safety & Security. Our employees are informed not to report to work if running a fever or showing symptoms of an illness. We are following proper personal hygiene and standard operating procedures necessary to ensure our Family Food Boxes are safely packed, stored, and shipped.

During this COVID-19 pandemic, we are suspending the use of volunteer help until April 1st, for a number of reasons. On a typical day when we pack food boxes we have between 200 and 300 volunteers at our Nashville warehouse, most of whom are within the age group of 60+, which are considered to be in the high risk category. We love and appreciate these brothers and sisters and cannot take the risk of gathering them together, even if it is for a good cause. We currently have six truckloads of supplies ready to go right now when the call comes in and much more than that in inventory, ready to be boxed.

Lastly, in response to a number of inquiries concerning our ability to help areas which have run out of antiviral supplies and paper products, please understand that we are not a medical supply company. Our inventory of these items is far too small to outfit even the city of Nashville with hand sanitizer or toilet paper, let alone other parts of the country.

Let’s pray that the Lord will provide not only what we need but something to share with others in need and understand that when we do so, He will always provide more.