As the COVID-19 pandemic continues so do the operating times and functions of local businesses.

The Allen Food Center continues to be well stocked and customers are welcome to come in or phone orders will be taken for curbside pickup. Deliveries are also available within the city limits. Eric Pierce would like to commend area residents on their cooperation, understanding and kindnesses during this time.

The Farmers State Bank has made the difficult decision to close their lobby but the full range of service is available at the two drive-up windows located at the rear of the building. Should you need other services, please contact the bank (857- 2402) and personal on site will assist you by appointment. Individuals are encouraged to utilize their electronic services (www.fsballen.com) or mobile app.

Both Allen convenience stores, The Quick Pic and The Country Store Junction, will no longer have in-house dining. Take-out orders are being accepted and will be delivered to vehicles in the parking lot by the Quick Pic staff and thru the drive-up window at the Country Store. Take-out “Hot Box” deli food is still available for walk-ins to purchase and convenience store/gas purchases are business as usual.

The Allen Vet Clinic is open by appointment only and only one pet owner will be allowed in the building at a time.

The Allen Health Clinic is still seeing people on a very strict appointment only basis (call 857- 2424), but the Rural Family Health is closed to personal visits. Both are encouraging phone or virtual visits.

The Allen Community Pharmacy is open and continuing business as usual with both walkin and window pickups available.

The Allen Nutrition Site is continuing to do pickup/out-the-door meals for senior citizens with home delivery to their regulars. They wish to remind their patrons that the donations are especially important at this time due to extra cost of containers and distribution.

All schools in the state are now officially closed until the start of the 2020- 21 school year in August. The Allen cafeteria staff has been providing daily lunches for students and, starting next week, will be doing three student meals per day. Food will be prepared and distributed on Mondays and Thursdays with containers for each day. There is no income restriction. If a child is 1-18, or 21 or under and special needs, they will receive meals for free.

Prairie Notions Fabric Shop is closed to customers but is available, by appointment only, for individuals making face masks. Mask-making fabric may be purchased at $2 per yard by calling 857-2831; for elastic call 580/320-8589. Komar Factory Outlet of McAlester has donated 2400 yards of elastic for Prairie Notions to distribute to mask makers. Those making masks for use by medical staff, first responders, fire fighters and volunteers, among many others, must be commended for assisting during this time of need. And, anyone wishing to do quilting and needing fabric should also call for appointments.

The All-Washed Up laundromat is still open 24/7 and the dropoff laundry service is continuing regular hours.

The Advocate is considered essential and will continue to publish however no one will be allowed to enter the building. Please call news or ads to the office (857-2687) Monday to Thursdays between hours of 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.

The City Hall is still open for phone calls or drive-up service. Anyone needing assistance of any type is urged to call (857- 2461).

The Allen Police are continuing to protect citizens and provide critical services.

The Allen Post Office, as are all post offices nationwide, is open as usual.

The Allen Public Library remains closed as does the Donut Bank. Small Town Fitness, the gym in Allen, is now closed due to the federal mandate and the Rocky Top Winery’s tasting room is closed to the public.