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Shopping Deliveries for Elderly

SHOPPING for essential provisions can often be a difficult and exhausting job for the elderly and infirm. But now, thanks to a newly-formed group of volunteers in Stranraer, weekly shopping supplies are making their way directly to the doors of such people in Stranraer and district.

For Dumfries organisation, the Food Train, have expanded westward where five volunteers last week delivered their first shopping batches to customers throughout the Rhins.

Three Stranraer stores have signed-up to the service which is funded through the Dumfries and Galloway Council Better Neighbourhood Service Fund and supported by the Health Board; Elderly Forum; Age Concern and the West Wigtown Area Partnership.

The three Stranraer stores involved are Loch's Foodstores, Safeway and Farmfoods.

Each Tuesday the customer is required to fill in a Food Train shopping list. The store makes up the order and the volunteers deliver the shopping on the Wednesday. If the customer lives within seven miles of the shop the cost of delivery is £1, plus the price of the goods. If they live more than seven miles from the shop the cost of delivery is £1.50.