Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services had a new program, Shop And Share, in development that, in the shadow of the COVID19 pandemic. they are looking to now expedite due to needs in our community.
JFS is receiving urgent calls from seniors (and/or their out of state adult children) who are afraid to go out to grocery shop as they feel vulnerable.
JFS has responded to this need and has made the decision to roll out their Shop and Share program immediately after Passover.
According Danielle Hartman, Executive Director, Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services has successfully recruited some of theor known volunteers who are willing to do grocery shopping for seniors and pay for items up front. The volunteers will then deliver the groceries to the senior’s home and get reimbursed by check from the senior.
This program is available to their current clients, as well as, those that have not used JFS services before.
How the program will work:
When ever a JFS staff person learns of a senior in need of help with food shopping, they should contact case manager, Abigail Horowitz. Abigail will call the senior and explain the program to them. One aspect of the enrollment process includes a review of one month’s bank statement for each client to ensure there are funds available for reimbursement to the volunteer.
Once enrolled in the program, Ms. Horowitz will notify the volunteer department who will then contact their volunteer shopper and provide the volunteer with the client’s name, phone number and address.
The volunteer will contact the client to let them know what store they will be shopping at and when they will be able to shop and drop off the purchases. They will go over with the client what items they need purchased.
After the volunteer finishes the shopping they will call the client to let them know they will be dropping off the items and tell the client the dollar amount for the reimbursement check.
The client will leave the check in an envelope and affix it to their door for the volunteer to pickup. The volunteer will leave the groceries at the client’s door.
Due to the current pandemic and to ensure everyone’s safety, volunteers will NOT be entering the home of the clients. This will be a no-contact service.
Volunteers will leave packages at the client’s doorstep. Clients will leave the reimbursement check outside for the volunteer to pick up.
We are pleased to be able to offer this new program at this critical time.
Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services is located at 21300 Ruth & Baron Coleman Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33428 Their main phone number is 561.852.3333.