Three Midland-area businesses are offering free grocery delivery to help those in need.
While Maurice’s Valu-Mart has offered free delivery to its clients for some time (with a $50 minimum order), two other businesses have gotten into the grocery game during the ongoing COVID-19 scare.
“I’m surprised how many people are house-bound,” said Ricks Driving School owner Rick Elliott, whose instructors came up with the idea of conducting grocery runs for seniors in Midland and Orillia after the school opted to cancel in-class programming due to the pandemic.
“I’m very proud of my instructors for helping out,” said company owner Rick Elliott. “They realize there are other people out there who are worse off than we are. Seniors are having a difficult time getting out and about.”
A few members of Black Light Investigative and Surveillance Services have also volunteered to assist the community during this time, according to company CEO Ryan Stacey.
“We’re pretty active in the community,” said Stacey, who noted that besides picking up and delivering groceries, team members are also available to help those needing aid stocking shelves and transporting goods to loved ones, including the elderly.
“We’re basically leaving it open to the public,” he said, referring to ways staff can help out.
“We’re volunteering our services to help with anything. The elderley may need it (our help) or people who are disabled may need it.”
Over at Valu-Mart in downtown Midland, Maurice said the store’s delivery option has become increasingly popular over the past few days.
“We moved to free delivery two years ago,” Maurice said, noting the option allows customers to email or phone in an order that staff will assemble for them, which is then loaded on a store delivery vehicle and driven to the customer’s address.
“Our customers were typically seniors,” Maurice said, noting the store is also working towards offering a grocery pickup service to complement its popular delivery option.
“We’ve been doing a lot more of it (delivery) now,” he said. “It’s been very hectic. We’re struggling to keep up with it now.”
Elliott, meanwhile, said the response has been an eye opener as he’s realizing seniors aren’t the only ones who can benefit from the service.
“There are people we don’t think about who just can’t get out for some reason,” he said, adding he’s happy to help them, too.
The reaction from people upon receiving their groceries has been gratifying, Elliott said, recalling a visit to one senior’s house.
“When I showed up with their groceries, they said, ‘Hallelujah! Thank you,’” he recalled. “They don’t know where to turn to, so any little bit that we can do to help out, we’re here.”
Black Light’s office number to arrange grocery pickup and delivery or other needs is (705) 209-1513 while Elliott can be reached at (705) 718-1897. Valu-Mart’s phone number is (705) 526-3622.
-with files from Dave Dawson
