How does one program promote dignity and self-reliance, prevent social isolation and support economically disadvantaged seniors? It’s starts with a friend at the door.

This week we’re digging into the archives to feature organization Store to Door as a part of our award-winning community voices series. Store to Door was founded in 1989 to help seniors too frail to shop to get access to food. Today, over 600 volunteers work together to support the needs of more than 500 clients. Store to Door is the grocery service that’s crafted to specifically help seniors and people with disabilities.

Here’s how it works:

Clients are phoned weekly and volunteers pick up needed items from stores. They can use store coupons, SNAP benefits and Oregon Project Independence home-care entitlements. Deliveries are every week, and volunteers help put the items away. Clients pay their grocery bill and a delivery fee, which is 10% of the total grocery bill (prescriptions excluded).

The weekly phone calls, and deliveries – often with the same volunteers – help build relationships with the community’s seniors and eases isolation. The elderly are the fastest growing population and family members struggle with distance and other responsibilities that restrict them from caring for their aging relatives. By regularly visiting seniors, Store to Door volunteers can bridge that gap, and ensure that their clients are well and have someone to check in with them weekly. The service is also affordable and reliable, which is valuable to seniors who depend on Store to Door for their essential food items.

To enroll, clients must be 65 or older, live within Store to Door’s delivery boundary, and be homebound. For more information, check out their website: https://www.storetodooroforegon.org/

Below are past interviews with key members of the organization:

PRP
Latest posts by PRP (see all)