Client Policies, Procedures, and Information

Serving Our Community Fairly and Effectively

Staff time is dedicated to securing funding, sourcing food, and coordinating services for you and your neighbors. When policies and procedures are not followed, it limits our ability to provide food and services to those who depend on the Pantry. To ensure that we can serve all our neighbors efficiently and fairly, the following applies:

Shopping Appointments

  • Do not arrive earlier or later than your scheduled appointment.
  • Arrive no more than 5 minutes early and bring a shopping list to keep your visit efficient.
  • Shoppers who arrive early will not be seen before their scheduled time and will be required to wait in their vehicle to prevent overcrowding in the waiting area.
  • Shoppers arriving 10 minutes late will forfeit their appointment and rescheduling before the next two-week cycle is not guaranteed.
  • Shoppers must complete shopping within 15 minutes to avoid delays for others.
  • Volunteers are authorized to enforce time and weight limits at their discretion.

Appointment Schedule

  • Shoppers are assigned an every-other-week appointment, same day and time.
  • You are expected to attend all scheduled appointments; please mark these recurring dates and times on your calendar.
  • Because your appointment day and time remain consistent, we ask that you avoid calling to confirm or ask when your next appointment is, so staff can focus on serving our community.
  • Appointment changes are considered only for illness, emergency, or unavoidable work obligations.

How to Request a Shopping Appointment Reschedule

  • Call Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Do not leave a message; you must speak with an authorized individual at the Pantry.
  • If an authorized person is unavailable, you must call back.
  • Voicemails, emails, or messages requesting a callback to reschedule will not be acted upon.
  • Only requests made through the required procedure will be considered.
  • Rescheduling is not guaranteed.

Cancellations of Shopping Appointments

  • You may leave a voicemail at any time to cancel an appointment. If doing so, please clearly state and spell your first and last name and specify the date and time of your appointment.
  • If you wish to schedule a new appointment, follow the “How to Request a Reschedule” process (please see above).
  • Missing three consecutive appointments without notice will result in loss of Pantry eligibility.

No Photography or Recording Policy

No photography or video/audio recording is permitted in the Pantry or on Pantry grounds.

Right to Refuse Services Policy

The Pantry reserves the right to suspend or permanently revoke services, and to remove any individual from the premises, at its discretion.

Poor Weather Policy

For the safety of our clients and volunteers, the Cheshire Community Food Pantry follows the Cheshire Public Schools’ closure and delay schedule during inclement weather or hazardous driving conditions.

  • School Closing: If CPS cancel classes, the Food Pantry will also be closed.
  • Delayed Openings: In CPS delays classes, the Food Pantry will be closed.
  • Early Dismissal: If CPS announces an early dismissal, the Pantry will be closed (only) for Wednesday afternoon appointments.

Information on closings and delays will be broadcast on the four local TV network affiliates.

Also, starting at 5:30 a.m., you may call the Cheshire Public Schools Information/Weather Line: 203-250-2410.

This number provides a recorded announcement directly from Cheshire Public Schools regarding closures, delays, or early dismissals, so there’s no need to call the Pantry, schools, police, or media outlets for confirmation.