Rights and Responsibilities
Guest Bill of Rights
AS A RECIPIENT OF FOOD FROM AN EMERGENCY FEEDING PROGRAM LIKE THE CAMBRIDGE FOOD PANTRY, YOU:
- Are entitled to receive food free of charge;
- Are not required to give donations, pay, work or participate in religious services in order to receive food;
- Are to be treated with dignity and respect at all times;
- Are to be provided with clear policies and procedures for receiving food;
- Are free to refuse any food items that do not meet your dietary or religious standards;
- Are to receive food that meets the local, state, and federal standards for food safety;
- Are not to be turned away on your first visit because of lack of identification, referral or documentation of need. Documentation may be required to verify other members of your household; and
- Are not required to provide your Social Security Number to receive food.
Agency Bill of Rights
AS AN EMERGENCY FEEDING PROGRAM THAT DISTRIBUTES FOOD, THE CAMBRIDGE FOOD PANTRY RESERVE THE RIGHT TO:
- Determine a set geographic service area and only serve people residing in that area. We will provide a referral to a client’s local emergency feeding program after we serve them the first time;
- Require documentation to prove the number of people living in a household;
- Require documentation to prove a household’s address;
- Limit how often we serve each client in order to ensure that all guests receive enough food;
- Refuse service to anyone that is hostile, aggressive or threatening to staff, volunteers, or other clients; and
- Serve income eligible volunteers as long as they register as clients and do not receive preferential treatment or more food than other clients.
If you have questions or concerns, please call
the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York at 518-786-3691.