CHEER starts grocery shopping program

In an effort to help keep its clients out of stores where they risk exposure to COVID-19, CHEER has started a grocery shopping program.

Spokeswoman Carolyn O'Neal said the temporary program is available to CHEER members and anyone who receives CHEER services.

An extension of its CHEERmobile Mini Market program, the grocery program is offered to CHEER members and customers who attend or who are served out of activity centers in Georgetown, Greenwood, Lewes, Long Neck, Milton, Ocean View and Roxana, plus nutrition sites in Bridgeville and Laurel. The large community hall at the Georgetown center has been turned into a makeshift grocery store and food-delivery service.

Program coordinator Nancy Elliott said she faces the same problems as everyone else when it comes to grocery shopping. “Keeping our stock up is a challenge because of shortages at stores,” she said. “We are not always sure of what we will have.”

Even though CHEER activity centers and most programs have been shut down since March 15, Elliott said staff are still working like they did before the state of emergency.

“We are busier,” O'Neal said. “We've had many employees who have been reassigned to other jobs.”

For example, CHEER bus drivers now deliver groceries all over Sussex County.

Customers must contact CHEER to preregister for this service. Customers can order groceries, including milk, eggs, bread, butter and limited meats, and household health and cleaning items from a preselected grocery list. Available items will be purchased and delivered to customers’ homes on designated days twice a week.

Customers must pay for groceries on receipt, plus a $5 delivery charge to help offset the cost of the service. Orders are limited to $50.

Orders must be placed at least two business days and not more than five business days before the scheduled delivery day. Customers must be at their residence to receive delivery on the scheduled day and make payment.

To sign up for the service and obtain a copy of the program guidelines, contact Elliott at 302-515-3040 or by email at nelliottgrocery@cheerde.com.

Meals on Wheels continues

CHEER's Meals on Wheels volunteers continue to provide hot meals Monday through Friday to 1,300 senior citizens. In addition, O'Neal said, CHEER staff prepared 3,500 nonperishable meals that have been delivered so seniors have two weeks of meals in case of an interruption in delivery service.

CHEER has been hit hard by the health crisis. All activity centers have been closed for more than a month, and the adult day care program at the Georgetown center was forced to close a week ago. O'Neal said remaining programs include respite care and personal assistance.