Helping Hands Food Pantry in Knoxville reopened to regular business hours last week following their closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Monday they will hold their next food distribution day. 

As they continue to take precautions and added safety measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 they have created a drive-through in the alley behind Helping Hands at 110 W. Main St. for food pickup. People can drive, bike or walk, entering the alley from First Street. The drive-through limits potential health risks and is fast and easy. People also can get food inside the building. Chuck Galeazzi with Helping Hands tells KNIA/KRLS News when people enter the building it will be to get food only. Galeazzi says sometimes people like to gather and converse but to keep the risk of spreading COVID-19 down as well as keep the flow of people moving, he asks that people move quickly through the food distribution line and get back home as fast as possible. 

Helping Hands main food distribution days are the second and fourth Mondays of each month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.