May 13, 2020 
Update: May 18, 2020  

Catholic Charities' St. Lucy Food Project Manassas warehouse and its Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry in Front Royal have re-opened following deep cleaning of both facilities and a St. Lucy vehicle, as well as the negative results of coronavirus testing conducted on all staff working at the two locations.

St. Lucy Food Project Suspends Manassas Warehouse, Front Royal Pantry Operations for Deep Cleaning

A Catholic Charities St. Lucy Food Project volunteer has tested positive for COVID-19. The results were released May 13. The volunteer, who was last at St. Lucy's Manassas warehouse and another community pantry in Stephens City on May 6 and its Loaves and Fishes Pantry in Front Royal on May 8, followed Catholic Charities' adopted protocol, based on Centers for Disease Control guidance, and notified St. Lucy staff when he became ill on May 11.

Acting on established protocol, St. Lucy today suspended operations at its Manassas warehouse and Front Royal pantry for deep cleaning. Pending staff test results, the pantry and warehouse are expected to open Monday, May 18. 

The safety of Catholic Charities clients, staff and volunteers is its primary priority while ensuring hungry individuals and families throughout the Diocese of Arlington have the food they need.

Catholic Charities immediately began addressing the issue on May 11 by notifying all staff and volunteers who had been in contact with the volunteer. Upon learning of the positive test result on May 13, staff began self-quarantining and also were tested for the virus, according to established procedure. Results are pending.

Parish volunteers and the Knights of Columbus will conduct this week's upcoming St. Lucy Friday drive-thru, no contact food drives, storing nonperishable food for several days at parish facilities before sending to the Catholic Charities warehouse.

As it has since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Catholic Charities will maintain operations by following CDC-guidance for best practices to stem the virus. With the assistance of generous parishioners and volunteers, the St. Lucy Food Project will continue to strive to serve the food needs of families in our diocese.