Maplewood/South Orange Help Seniors With Food Bank, Shopping Time

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The towns of Maplewood and South Orange are helping seniors cope with the coronavirus pandemic in a number of ways, including running a food bank for the needy. And supermarkets in those towns and others in Essex County are offering specific hours for senior shoppers, as well as certain services like delivery.

Free food for the needy is offered via the food bank. "If you or a senior you know needs immediate food delivered in South Orange or Maplewood," says a release from the city, "please reach out to (973) 558-0863 or soma2towns@gmail.com."

Some local grocery stores will now be open for residents 60+ only before opening to the general public. "This will help make sure the stores are cleaned, stocked and less crowded," said a release from the city of Maplewood.

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The local supermarkets with special hours include:

• Stop & Shop on Valley St. - 6am - 7:30am
• Kings Supermarket will reserve the first hour of shopping for seniors and “high risk guests” - 7am - 8am
• Extra Supermarket on Irvington Ave. - 6am - 7:30 am for seniors only. In addition, they will be offering free taxi service for seniors to get home with their purchase.
• Ashley Market in South Orange Village is not doing senior only hours but takes orders by phone and does free delivery. (973) 762-5200 x1

In addition, to read a list of supermarkets in Essex County that have special hours for seniors, click here.

Transportation

While the senior buses are suspended, SOMA Two Towns for All Ages is offering free rides to South Orange and Maplewood residents age 60+ through Gogo Grandparent for shopping, doctor’s appointments and other essential trips. You can use your current Gogo Grandparent account or set one up by calling them at (855) 464 - 6872 (855- GOGO-USA), or through their website, https://gogograndparent.com. Use code “SOMA Seniors” for free rides. If you cannot set up an account, call (973) 558-0863 and a ride will be arranged for you.

COVID-19 SOMA Senior Support Fund
A support fund has been set up for seniors experiencing difficulties during the coronavirus disruptions, If you need assistance, contact Cathy Rowe at (973) 558-0863 or SOMA2towns@gmail.com

The city said: If you are a close contact with a suspected or known case of coronavirus and have questions on what to do, please call the Maplewood Public Health Division, (973) 762-8120. You can also call 2-1-1 or the state coronavirus hotline, (800)222-1222.

Experts say that the novel coronavirus, because it's new, is more lethal and much harder to treat than the flu.

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that include the common cold as well as much more serious diseases. The strain that emerged in China in late 2019, now called COVID-19, is related to others that have caused serious outbreaks in recent years, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was on Jan. 21.

Got a news tip in Maplewood? Email caren.lissner@patch.com.

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