Coronavirus: Free Grocery Delivery For Barnstable County Seniors

BARNSTABLE, MA —Seniors and people at higher risk of contracting the new coronavirus can now get their prepaid groceries delivered for free thanks to the Cape Cod Medical Reserve Corps.

The program"Critical Delivery Service" consist of more than 40 reserve corp volunteers willing to pick up groceries and deliver them to residents in all 15 towns in Barnstable County.

"Through inquiries sent to Barnstable County’s general COVID-19 email address, we found that there are many seniors who are isolating at home who need help accessing groceries," Diana Gaumond, the director of the corps, said. "The Cape Cod Medical Reserve Corps is happy to help."

Gaumond emphasized that volunteers:

• will not be doing personal shopping. (There should be little to no time spent in grocery stores.)
• will not be handling money or credit cards
• will wear a mask at points of pickup and delivery
• will practice good hand hygiene and social distancing.

Instructions for Ordering Food Using the MRC’s Critical Delivery Service

1. Call 508-556-7161 Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM and speak with an MRC volunteer. You will provide your name, address, and phone number, and discuss options of stores where you can order.

2. A delivery volunteer will be assigned to you.

3. You will order from the store as instructed, prepaying for the groceries.

4. You will confirm the curbside pickup time with your assigned delivery volunteer.

5. Your delivery volunteer will pick up and deliver groceries using safe practices of social distancing, wearing a mask, and not going inside the home.

The Cape Cod Medical Reserve Corps Volunteer can usually provide same day pickup and delivery if the order is phoned in by noon.

See a list of participating grocery stores with pre-ordering and curbside pickup options here.