Grocery Shopper Aides To Keep Ocean Seniors Safe From Coronavirus

Ocean County senior citizens who need help with grocery shopping but do not want to go out in the midst of the outbreak of the coronavirus can get assistance in accomplishing that task thanks to a partnership of senior services organizations.

The new program will help seniors 60 and older, especially those who are at-risk from the coronavirus, to stay at home to protect their health and keep them safe during the pandemic, while still purchasing needed food.

The program begins Monday.

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"Our seniors are among the most vulnerable to the Covid-19 virus," Freeholder Director Joseph Vicari said. "Many of our seniors are fearful of shopping at local supermarkets as this pandemic continues."

Some food stores have set aside early shopping hours, but officials realized more help was needed, and it led to a coordinated effort among several agencies.

Ocean County Senior Services has partnered with Jersey Cares, the state Department of Human Services/Division on Aging, the Toms River Senior Center, the Brick Township Senior Center, the Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey, the Jackson Senior Center, the Berkeley Senior Outreach, the Manchester Township Senior Outreach, and the St. Francis Senior Center on Long Beach Island.

How it works is the staff at the municipal senior centers will take grocery list requests via telephone and forward the requests to the Jersey Cares portal. The program is open to senior citizens in Ocean County.

"This partnership will allow our seniors to have their food shopping needs met with one phone call without having to leave the safety of your home," Vicari said.

Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

To access the grocery shopping service, Ocean County seniors can call any of the following numbers:

• Ocean County Office of Senior Services: 732-929-2091
• Berkeley Senior Outreach: 732-244-9600
• Brick Township Senior Center and Outreach: 732-920-8686
• Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey: 732-505-2273
• Jackson Township Senior Citizen’s Community Center: 732-928-2313
• Long Beach Island Senior Center and Outreach: 609-978-6220
• Manchester Township Senior Outreach: 732-849-8305
• Toms River Senior Center and Outreach: 732-341-1000, Ext. 8460

Volunteers are needed to grocery shop and deliver to seniors, who cannot/should not leave their house. Jersey Cares is partnering with the New Jersey Department on Aging to close the gap on this critical need.

SENIOR SHOPPERS PROGRAM

Volunteers will be able to accept flexible assignments. COVID-19 precautions in place, all deliveries are performed using contact-less practices, including front door drop-off.

Volunteers must agree to background check (volunteer covers $15.80 cost).

Volunteers prepay for the groceries and are reimbursed (with proof of delivery) through
direct deposit.

More information and a link to sign up is on the Jersey Cares website.

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