The average Store to Door (S2D) client is a low-income woman in her late 70's who lives alone; we will call her Rose. She does not drive, she uses a walker, her vision and hearing are impaired She needs a way to get food beverages, household products and medications. She has a son in town. He and his wife work and have children to care for. Rose can call them in an emergency, but cannot depend on them to go to the store every week for her. The last time she went to a grocery store she ran out of steam half-way around the aisles. She called a homecare agency to see how much it would cost to have a housekeeper shop, but they charged $18 an hour with a three-hour minimum. She called S2D and found that she could afford the service and that it would be reliable.
At her chosen time, every Tuesday at 1:30, Rose gets a call from Glen for her order. He reads her the specials from the weekly advertisement, she gives him her list and he makes sure that coupons from the ad are attached to her order form. On Wednesday morning she may get a call from the volunteer at the store who is shopping for her groceries to tell her the store does not have the soup she ordered. He tells her what is on the shelf if she would like a substitute.
Around noon Rose's doorbell rings and she is greeted by Nancy, a S2D delivery driver who brings the groceries into the kitchen. They check all items together to make sure everything is acceptable. Nancy helps put things away and takes back cans and bottles for recycle. Rose gets the nickel for each and credit for any coupons she is using and items she wants returned. S2D has already paid the bill for all groceries purchased, so Rose writes a check to S2D for her groceries plus a delivery fee, 10% of the grocery order. Rose usually spends $50 on groceries and her fee is $5. She had S2D pick up a prescription that cost $25, but she did not have to pay a fee for that.
Nancy delivers Rose's groceries often and they have gotten to know each other. She sees that Rose is all right. If Nancty were concerned about Rose, she would call the S2D office and share her observations. S2D is part of the County Gatekeeper program and works with caseworkers and famiilies to make sure frail elderly and people with disabilities are living safe as well as independent lives.
Multnomah County Aging and Disability Services: 503.988.362 Helpline: 503.988.3646 TTY: 503.988.3683 www.co.multnomah.or.us/ads/ads_main.shtml Assists older adults and persons with disabilities live as independently as possible with a range of accessible, quality services that meet their diverse needs and preferences.
Network of Care: networkofcare.org Network of Care is a highly interactive, single information place where consumers, community-based organizations and municipal government workers all can go to easily access a wide variety of important information. The resources in this "virtual community" include a fast, comprehensive Service Directory; links to pertinent Web sites from across the nation; a comprehensive, easy-to-use Library; a political advocacy tool; community message boards; and many others.
211: www.211info.org 2-1-1 is the three digit phone number set aside by the FCC with the sole purpose of providing health and human service information and referral. People looking for help in Portland and its surroundings can locate such basic resources as food, shelter, employment, and health care.
Loaves and Fishes: (503) 736-6325 www.loavesandfishesonline.org Loaves & Fishes Centers is a nonprofit, secular organization that provides hot, nutritious meals to seniors 60 years and older.
Ride Connection: www.rideconnection.org Ride Connection is a nonprofit, linking seniors and people with disabilities to accessible, responsive transportation.
State Department of Human Services: 503-945-5944 egov.oregon.gov/DHS DHS assists Oregonians to become independent, healthy and safe.
Fred Meyer Corporation: www.fredmeyer.com/
Hands on Greater Portland: 503-200-3355 www.handsonportland.org/ Hands-on connects people with a volunteer opportunity that makes a meaningful, rewarding change in the Portland area.
