This week, staff and volunteers prepared for its annual children’s Christmas dinner, during which 170 children received presents from Santa. The kitchen has resumed its children’s night dinners from 3:30 pm. “We have never required a vaccination to eat in the dining room. Everyone is wearing a mask until they sit down to eat,” she said. While vaccinations aren’t required of patrons who wish to dine inside the soup kitchen, they should wear a mask. “If they choose to get it, they get it - or they go sit down and eat,” Shilling-Rodocker said. The health care professionals also provide information and answer any medical questions the patrons might have, she said. In addition, Wheeling Health Right employees come every second and fourth Wednesday of the month to give shots.
Matt Rafa, pharmacist at the Kroger pharmacy in Warwood, provides vaccinations at the soup kitchen “two to three times a week” based on his schedule, Shilling-Rodocker said. The patrons have an opportunity to get their shots while they are at the soup kitchen. She estimates that one in four patrons may not be vaccinated, but everyone is permitted to come into the dining room to eat whether or not they have had their COVID shots. Shilling-Rodocker said all staff members have been fully vaccinated for COVID, as have most of the volunteers.