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Resources During COVID - 19: Groceries and Medicine

April 22, 2020 | by hgadmin

Manhattan Community Board 4 Announces:

Resources for COVID-19: Where to Buy Groceries &

Medicine/Special Hours for Immunocompromised

GrowNYC Greenmarkets: Most of their markets are currently operating, though for safety reasons in consultation with health officials and other market operators, they have implemented several best practices. To learn more and find a greenmarket near you, visit their website.

NYC Department of Education (DOE): The DOE is offering three free meals daily for any New Yorker. There are more than 400 Meal Hubs across the City. Meals can be picked up between 7:30-11:30a.m. for children and families and 11:30am-1:30pm for adults. Vegetarian and halal options are available at all sites. No one will be turned away. You can find your school by texting FOOD or COMIDA to 877-877.

Food Bank for New York City: The available sites are providing “grab and go” meals and pantry bags. The list is subject to change without notice. You are encouraged to call ahead to confirm services and hours. To learn more and find a site near you, visit their website.

Hunger Free NYC: A project of Hunter College Food Policy Center has produced comprehensive Neighborhood Guides to Food & Assistance containing detailed information on free food access – such as SNAP, WIC, school meals, senior meals, soup kitchens, food pantries, and farmer’s markets that accept SNAP as payment. (Spanish) (Mandarin) View Food Resource Guides by neighborhood.

ASPCA has established a pet food distribution center in NYC in partnership with the Petco Foundation, Blue Buffalo, and PetSmart Charities to provide dog and cat owners free access to crucial food and supplies, including kitty litter. Available by appointment only. Do not bring your pets. Call the helpline at (800) 738-9437 to request an appointment.

FreshDirect Five Borough Food Drive: Every weekday, FreshDirect and their partners drop off 10-lb boxes of food at NYCHA tenants’ associations.

Supermarkets:

Chelsea Market: Chelsea Market remains open (8a.m.-8p.m.) and are available for same-day delivery and pickup service. For delivery options, visit their Operation Updates site.

Gristedes: To find a Gristedes near you, visit the store locator on their website.

  • Hours for seniors, immunocompromised and disabled neighbors are from 7a.m. – 8a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Target: Store hours have been reduced and are closing by 9p.m. daily. Stores are monitoring and metering when necessary the number of people inside their stores nationwide. To find the nearest Target, view their store locator.

  • The first hour of shopping has been reserved each Wednesday to support vulnerable guests, including the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.

Trader Joe’s: Visit the store locator to find the closest Trader Joe’s near you and to confirm store hours. Stores will be closed Easter Sunday, April 12th.

  • The first hour of shopping (8a.m.-9a.m. or 9a.m.-10a.m. depending on your local store) is dedicated to serve senior customers over the age of 60 and customers with disabilities who may need additional assistance while shopping.

Whole Foods: They are partnering with Amazon in expanding capacity to service more Prime members with free two-hour delivery and door drop service from Whole Foods Market in more then 2000 cities and towns. Stores are closing early to implement cleanliness and sanitation protocols.

  • Stores will service customers age 60+ one hour before opening the store to the general public.

ALDI: stores have intensified cleaning practices in all facilities and have issued health & safety guidelines for employees and customers to follow within their stores. Store hours have changed. Check their website for store hours and locations.

  • Special Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays: 8:30am – 9:30am for seniors and immunocompromised

BJ’s Wholesale Club: Call centers are experiencing higher than normal volume. If you need help you can email them. Team Members will not have additional information on when an item will be back in stock. Visit the new help center on their website to learn more.

  • All Clubs will be opening one hour early – 8am-9am – for members aged 60 and over, with a designated entrance.
  • Free delivery for members with code: BJS20SPRING on delivery website

Costco: Warehouses will allow no more than 2 people to enter with each membership card. Costco warehouses have implemented new weekday closing hours temporarily – 6:30p.m. Monday – Friday. Costco will be closed Sunday, April 12th. Costco gas stations will open at 6a.m. daily and close 7p.m. weekdays and 6:30p.m. weekends.

  • All warehouses will open from 8am – 9am on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for seniors and people with disabilities.

Food Bazaar: For food deliveries, visit Shop.FoodBazaar.com (Instacart will deliver your Food Bazaar groceries).

  • Senior Hours: 7a.m. – 8a.m.

Foodtown:

  • Customers age 65 and older can shop from 7a.m.-8a.m. everyday. Access to store during these hours will require a government-issued ID.

Key Food Supermarkets: Stores want to remind customers to take care and be cognizant of their safety, and the safety of other shoppers and store employees. They ask that shoppers comply with the social distancing guidelines. They are also continuing to follow all state-mandated cleaning protocols to ensure a clean and safe environment for customers.

  • Hours for seniors are from 7a.m.-8a.m.
  • Some stores are offering special hours for people with disabilities but you will need to call to confirm your store’s policy.

Met Foods: Due to COVID-19 volume, prices and item availability may vary by location.

  • Food home deliveries can be done over the phone.

Stop & Shop: Each store is limiting the number of customers that enter the store to provide optimal social distancing space with reminders inside the store to keep 6-ft away from others. Stores have added bins for customers to dispose of their gloves and masks safely. All stores are frequently disinfecting most used surfaces and have wipes for customers to use on carts, hand baskets and ScanIt! Devices.

  • FAQs
  • Customers 60+ and those with weakened immune systems can shop from 6a.m. – 7:30a.m.

Pharmacies:

Walgreens: Most stores are open weekdays from 9a.m.-9p.m., 24-hour stores are drive thru only overnight 9p.m. -9a.m.

  • Senior hours: Individuals aged 55+ can come in every Tuesday from 8am-9am

Rite Aid:

  • Seniors and individuals who have weakened immune systems can shop in-store from 9a.m.-10a.m.

CVS: Pharmacies have disinfectant wipe stations to wipe down your cart or basket. They have also placed floor markings to remind you to maintain proper social distance. Surfaces are being cleaned frequently.

  • Hours for vulnerable or at-risk individuals (age 60+, pregnant women, those with underlying health conditions) are Wednesdays from 9a.m.-10a.m. Customers are welcome to use the drive thru services, where available, during these hours as well.

If you feel we missed something, please send us an email and we will be happy to update our lists.

For the latest updates on COVID-19, visit cdc.gov/coronavirus or nyc.gov/health/coronavirus

New Yorkers can text COVID or COVIDESP to 692-692 to get regular updates on the latest developments regarding COVID-19

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