District to offer home deliveries

The District of Tumbler Ridge is partnering with Feshmart, Home Hardware, KC’s Dollar Store and the Tumbler Ridge Pharmacy to arrange home delivery of groceries for those who have gone into self quarantine or are at high risk of exposure to COVI0-19.

District CAO Jordan Wall says this includes seniors, immune-compromised individuals, and others who are at higher risk.

“What happened was Freshmart approached us with the idea to bring groceries to residents who are at risk or on self quarantine,” says Wall. “We thought the District could assist, and extended the idea to other retail businesses.

“Anyone who is immune compromised, at risk, or in self isolation or quarantine can call and put order,” he says. “Payment are arranged with the business directly.”

How that works will vary from business to business. All the businesses are accepting e-transfers, and Home Hardware can also process Credit Cards over the phone. Pharmacy owner Charissa Tonnessen says that if a person doesn’t do e-transfers, “we’ll work it out.”

After the order are picked, the retail store will call the Community Centre, and they will pick up the items and take it to the person’s house. “There will be no contact between delivery driver and individual,” says Wall.

While there was some discussion about service clubs taking on home delivery, Wall says they currently have enough staff. “Right now we want to see what the demand is, but we think the District will be able to meet the needs. Service club can help in other ways.”

He says now is the time to pull together as a community. “Be kind and help each other. This is one way the District is able to do that.”

There are some limitations to the program. Deliveries are only available between 11 am and 4 pm, for instance, and some medications are not allowed to be delivered, but Wall encourages anyone who needs to program to take advantage of it.

Christine Vandeburgh says they’ll remain open as long as possible. “That might change down the way,” she says. “We are taking it day by day. We might be told we have to close, but for now we’re keeping regular hours. If people stop coming, we might also shut the doors and just do phone orders.”

Her big message: don’t come in if you don’t need to.

While people have been self-organizing doing home deliveries for friends and neighbours, Pharmacist Tonnessen says she’s happy to see it be formalized. “We’re super stoked they’re doing it. It’s an excellent program.”