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PantryFillers
PantryFillers is an income based grocery shopping assistance program designed to provide grocery shopping assistance to senior adults who are low-income eligible. Please note, no client will be denied grocery shopping assistance based on income. Clients above the income threshold for this program will be provided with grocery shopping assistance through our Senior Rides program.
What We Provide:
Senior Connection currently offers two options for this program for eligible clients.
OPTION 1: A volunteer will pick up the client from his/her residence and escort the client to a single grocery store within reasonable distance to the client’s residence and assist the client in shopping. When the trip is complete, the volunteer will escort the client back to their residence, assist with bringing the groceries inside the residence and assist with putting the groceries away. The client is responsible for paying for all groceries at the time of service.
OPTION 2: A volunteer will meet with the client at their residence to pick up the payment method and grocery list prepared by the client, then will shop for groceries on behalf of the client. The client does not travel to the grocery store with the client. The volunteer will return to the client’s residence and bring the groceries inside. The shopping is limited to one grocery store location within reasonable distance to the client’s residence. The client is responsible for paying for all groceries at the time of service.
What We Cannot Provide:
- Trips to multiple grocery stores or other appointments in one trip.
- Rides outside of Montgomery County, Maryland.
- Transportation for anyone who does not meet the program eligibility requirements.
- Assistance with meal preparation, eating, administering medications, bathing, toileting, dressing, grooming, laundry, cleaning or other household services that do not fall within the program guidelines.
- Payment for anything purchased during shopping trips (groceries, prescriptions, parking, tolls, etc.). These are the client’s responsibility.
- Rides to locations not initially requested through our office.
How It Works:
The client will apply for services via our online or print-and-mail application. A Senior Connection staff member will reach out to the client to let them know we have received their application and it has been processed.
If Option 1, Senior Connection staff will submit a regularly scheduled service request (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly) for the client to be escorted to a single grocery store. The volunteer will escort the client to a single grocery store within reasonable distance to the client’s residence and assist the client in shopping. The volunteer will then return to the client’s residence and assist in transferring groceries and putting the groceries away. Service may be scheduled weekly, twice a month or monthly on the same day.
If Option 2, Senior Connection staff will place a regularly scheduled service request (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly) for the client to be visited at their residence by a volunteer. The client will select items for a shopping list and provide a valid method of payment to the volunteer. The volunteer will then shop on behalf of the client using a pre-prepared grocery list. The volunteer will return to the client’s residence to deliver and put the grocery items away. Service may be scheduled weekly, twice a month or monthly on the same day for each.
Client Responsibilities:
We make every effort to accommodate the needs of all clients. We ask that all clients abide by the following set of responsibilities so we can serve everyone:
- Take advantage of a volunteer’s assistance on a consistent basis, to the best of your ability. Sporadic use of the volunteer’s assistance may result in dismissal from the program.
- Be prepared with a specific grocery shopping list, either to take with you to the grocery or to share with your volunteer. Include specifics, such as item size, preferred brands and costs, and let the volunteer know when it’s okay to substitute.
- Offer full payment for the purchase of groceries, either to the store or to the volunteer to give to the store. Request a receipt from the volunteer if the volunteer shops for you.
- Clearly instruct the volunteer which items may be purchased using an EBT card if needed.
- Avoid making the volunteer lift large or heavy containers or extremely large orders.
- Abide by all rules and requests by your volunteer in regard to riding in their vehicle (for example, no smoking or pets if requested).
- Parking fees and tolls are your responsibility.
- If you need to cancel a shopping trip, please contact the office immediately. Excessive cancellations may result in dismissal from the program.
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