MARION — Marion Council on Aging (COA) Director Karen Gregory is pleased to share that the COA will begin to resume offering limited services to residents as the state begins to see a decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases.
“We recognize that this health crisis and its effects will linger for many months and we want to make sure we can effectively and safely provide resources to our especially vulnerable residents,” Director Gregory said. “Our priority is to keep our residents safe and supported in any way that we can.”
Transportation Services
Beginning Monday, June 1, the COA plans to resume providing limited transportation services. In order to protect the health of residents, passengers will be asked to adhere to specific public health guidelines from the state.
The public health guidelines outlined by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) are as follows:
- Wearing a face covering will be mandatory. If you do not have one, the COA can provide you with one.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Stay home if you are sick or have had close contact with others who are sick.
The COA will also sanitize the vehicles in its fleet after each trip.
For transportation to routine doctor’s appointments, residents will be seated as far as possible from the driver.
Grocery Trips
For transportation to grocery stores, the number of passengers that will be able to be accommodated on the ride will be greatly reduced. However, to ensure that all who wish to shop have the opportunity to do so, the COA will increase the number of weekly shopping trips.
The schedule is as follows:
- Monday: Stop & Shop in Fairhaven
- Tuesday: Market Basket in Plymouth
- Wednesday: Shaw’s in Wareham
- Thursday: Market Basket in Plymouth
- Friday: Walmart, Aldi or Target in Wareham
Pick-up for these trips will begin at 8:30 a.m. Residents must sign up ahead of time by calling the COA office at 508-748-3570 no more than 48 hours in advance.
Residents will be limited to one trip per week. Residents who wish to make an additional trip will be put on a waiting list for the second trip.
Food Services
Thursday, May 28 will be the last day of drive-up food distribution at the Community Center. The COA recognizes that the population it serves is especially vulnerable to COVID-19 and therefore may feel unsafe returning to a grocery store and may not have family members to assist them. To help support these individuals, the COA will be offering a packaged box of groceries containing fresh and pantry grocery items that will be delivered weekly. Residents can call 508-748-3570 to request this service and some screening questions will be asked.
In combination, these arrangements and the below resources will provide a viable option for all current participants of the Community Center food bank.
Community Food Services
- Fieldstone Farm Market: open from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. for senior and higher risk customer shopping; open to all customers from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. for curbside pick up only at 774-553-5094.
- Marion General Store: open from 7 to 8 a.m. for senior shopping and higher risk customers; open to all customers from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and offers call-ahead ordering and curbside pick up at 508-748-0340.
- Shaw’s, Stop & Shop, Walmart and Target are each offering online ordering and delivery services.
Residents who are seeking additional grocery options or may be experiencing limited resources during this difficult time are encouraged to contact the following organizations:
- Family Pantry – Damien’s Place, 3065 Cranberry Highway, East Wareham, 508-295-3486, open Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
- St. Patrick’s Food Pantry, 82 High St., Wareham, 508-295-2411, open Wednesdays from 12:30 to 2 p.m. and from 3 to 5 p.m.
- Good Shepherd’s Food Pantry, 74 High St., Wareham, 508-295-2840, open the first Tuesday of the month from 3 to 5 p.m.
- Shepherd’s Pantry, 1215 North Main St., Acushnet, 508-763-9289, open Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m.
- MO Life Food Pantry, 725 Pleasant St., New Bedford, 508-992-0122, open May 13 through May 27 from 10 a.m. to noon
- Bourne Friends Food Pantry, 20 Commerce Park, Pocasset, 508-759-3351, open Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to noon
- Greater Fall River Food Bank, 235 Nashua St., Fall River, 774-365-4292, open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon
It is recommended that residents call to verify the days and hours of operations for the above community resources.
Residents who need additional help or support are encouraged to contact the COA at 508-748-3570.
###