A number of groups have been advocating to be added to the state's vaccination group 1B, but pantry workers say they should have been included from the start.
Pantry workers and volunteers have been deemed essential throughout the pandemic, similar to grocery store employees.
But while grocery workers are eligible for the vaccine, those at food pantries are not. The Food Pantries for the Capital District is asking for that to change.
What You Need To Know
- Food pantry employees and volunteers are considered "essential workers"
- The group is deemed similar to grocery store workers, but were left out of group 1B
- Food pantries have seen increased need because of the pandemic
"It’s the respect that we’re providing to the pantry workers, to say 'You are doing this incredible work, you haven’t stopped, and we need to make sure that you are taken care of,'" says Natasha Pernicka, executive director of The Food Pantries for the Capital District.
Advocates say vaccinations will also help prevent pantries from having to close because of potential outbreaks.