MANCHESTER – Mayor Kenneth T. Palmer and members of the Township Council recently announced that a helping hand will be provided for seniors-in-need with their food shopping.
Through a partnership of state, county, municipal and community organizations, a new helping hand food shopping service became effective in late April.
“Our seniors are among the most vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus. Many of our seniors are fearful of shopping at local supermarkets as this pandemic continues,” Mayor Palmer said. “Some food stores have set aside early shopping hours for our senior residents, but more assistance is needed.
“To help our most at-risk seniors obtain the food needed without having to leave their homes, Ocean County Senior Services has teamed up with several municipal senior centers and other agencies to help with this program,” Mayor Palmer added.
The new program will help seniors-in-need, age 60 and older. While many of the township’s seniors are able to rely on family, friends and neighbors for help, others do not have that option, he said. This program will allow them to stay home and stay safe, while still getting the food they need.
Ocean County Senior Services in partnership with Jersey Cares; NJ Department of Human Services/Division on Aging; Toms River Senior Center; Brick Township Senior Center; Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey; Jackson Senior Center; Berkeley Senior Outreach, Manchester Township Senior Outreach, and St. Francis Senior Center on Long Beach Island will participate in providing food shopping services through this program.
The mayor added, that through the Jersey Cares Shopping program, “volunteers will be able to get your shopping list and will be able to go and get your groceries. Contact senior services and someone will be in touch with you about getting your grocery list and making arrangements to get your groceries.”
Manchester Township’s Office of Senior Services will provide this Outreach service to those residents who are most in need of assistance. They can be contacted at 732-849-8305. Outreach staff will take grocery list requests via phone and forward the requests to the Jersey Cares portal.
