The Alternative Press

SAGE Eldercare is looking for volunteers who can assist with the Grocery Shopping and Errand Service in the Millburn / Short Hills area.  Volunteers meet the SAGE Shopping Coordinator at the supermarket, shop, and then deliver the items to a senior who lives in Millburn, Short Hills, Springfield or parts of Union.  This is a great volunteer opportunity for college students during the summer.

SAGE Eldercare’s Shopping and Errand Service has grown from three clients in 1998 to about 60 annually.  Each year, volunteers shop and deliver more than 1,000 orders and buy more than $70,000 worth of groceries.  They also pick up and deliver laundry to and from a local laundromat.  Errands to the post office, dry cleaners, and other places can also be accommodated.  The program, which is available to individuals over 60 years of age and their in-home health aides, as well as disabled individuals, was initially started by foundation grants.

On Thursday mornings, volunteer shoppers meet SAGE’s staff shopping coordinator between 8:30 and 9:00am at the ShopRite in Millburn and do the shopping based on lists that are distributed by the coordinator.  The coordinator takes care of payment and then the volunteer delivers the groceries to the client, along with the receipt.

“The benefits to people are tremendous.  We can save caregivers effort so that they can spend quality time with their relative, we are flexible as to the brands and sizes of items that we pick up, we will accommodate dietary-specific needs, we will use coupons if requested, and we look out for that person, often becoming a companion to them,” stated Marianne Kranz, Director of Volunteers and Support Services at SAGE.  “We are really looking for volunteers who can assist in the Millburn / Short Hills area, whether they can help out weekly or even less frequently,” she added.

The Shopping and Errand Service is also available to residents in Berkeley Heights, Chatham, Mountainside, New Providence, and Summit.  For those residents, the Berkeley Heights Stop ‘n Shop is the meeting place on Wednesday mornings.  For more information on the service, or if you are interested in becoming a volunteer for SAGE Eldercare, please contact Marianne Kranz at 908-598-5514.