New Ocean County Volunteer Org. Grocery Shops For Those In Need

BERKELEY, NJ — A few volunteers created a service that could help many during the novel-coronavirus outbreak. GoGetters of New Jersey delivers groceries for people in need, including seniors, people with compromised immune systems and sick people and their caregivers.

GoGetters currently delivers to middle and northwest Ocean County. But they're recruiting volunteers for the rest of Ocean County and beyond.

Mark Kwapis, one of the volunteers, owns two Bayville businesses: Skyline Services and Skyline Films. Both have dramatically slowed down during the pandemic.

"So he said, ‘If we can’t work, let’s go ahead and start volunteering to help people who are in greatest need,’" said Maribeth Abrams, a GoGetters volunteer.

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How It Works

Customers have a couple options: order and prepay for a store that offers pickup service, or call GoGetters to schedule your free delivery. If the store doesn't offer prepay options, contact GoGetters with a shopping list and plans for reimbursement.

Volunteers wash their hands before and after each delivery and wear nitrile gloves while shopping. They don't enter customers' homes, and they cover all surfaces of the packaging with antiviral spray. GoGetters provides cleaning and protective materials to its volunteers, Abrams says.

"We leave the grocery outside their house, and they leave payment for the groceries outside their house," Abrams said. "We don’t come in contact."

To set up delivery, call 732-773-6342 or message GoGetters from their webpage. Click here for the FAQ.

How to Help

Currently only three volunteers take most of the work. GoGetters is looking for more, but onboarding takes a little time. Since volunteers play an important role, they ensure each passes a background check.

"We are maxed out with our time," Abrams said. "So we’re actively recruiting other volunteers right now, and we do have a few that should be working with us by the end of the week."

GoGetters receives about 20 calls for service per day. Despite the current workload for a small number of volunteers, Abrams is eager to expand the service.

She would like to see GoGetters continue after the pandemic, since some people will still have trouble with grocery shopping.

"The grocery delivery service really helps a lot of people, but it does seem like there are some people who fall through the cracks, especially in any kind of a busy time," Abrams said. "Maybe it’s even during holidays that the shopping delivery services get real busy. We want to make sure that everyone has a way to get their food and essentials."

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