CINCINNATI, Ohio— With unemployment at the highest levels since the Great Depression, many are looking for ways to continue to take care of themselves and their family. Soup Kitchens have seen an increase over the last few months. 

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As soup kitchens continue to see an increase in demand, here at Our Daily Bread in downtown Cincinnati they unfortunately had to close last week because of one of their volunteers testing positive for COVID-19.

It’s been a staple for those in need in the Cincinnati community for over 30 years. Executive Director Georgine Getty says the last several months is unlike anything she’s seen.

“Back in March when we first started with to-go meals we did 160 meals on our first day and now we do regularly 450-500 meals a day," Getty said. "So we’ve seen a really sharp increase in the number of people coming to us for food.”

So when a volunteer with the soup kitchen tested positive for coronavirus, Getty worried for the hundreds they feed everyday.

“It was terrible," Getty said. "We were very worried about people. It was so hot. In addition to the meals we also hand out ice water and coffee and so we knew that people would be missing us and wanting us to reopen again.”

With Our Daily Bread’s doors closed, other organizations came to the rescue.

“Not hot meals," Getty said. "Not coffee. It was very, very scaled back and so we’re back to be reopened.”

Getty says their COVID response plan worked pretty well. She says they wanted to be as cautious as possible to protect the needy and the homeless.

“We were prepared in case any of our volunteers or staff tested positive for COVID just because our population is so vulnerable, we couldn’t risk exposing them to it," she said.

Once all staff members and volunteers tested negative for COVID-19, the soup kitchen planned to reopen it’s doors to continue to serve the community.

“Thankfully no one else tested positive and I think that’s because of the importance of everyone wearing a mask and everyone keeping their distance while they’re inside the building," Getty said. "And those methods really, really work.”

If you’re struggling to feed yourself or your family and live in the Cincinnati area, Our Daily Bread is open every weekday morning from 8:30-11:45. You can get your free coffee, your free water as well as free to-go meals during this time.