Sending Groceries to Your Loved Ones During COVID-19

Between yesterday and today, it seems like this Stephen King novel that we are all trapped in just got worse due to the spread of COVID-19. Sean and I went to Publix again yesterday to stock up on groceries. We always ask my grandmother to make a list, and we pick up her groceries when we pick up ours.

One of my friends, Ashley, went shopping for her grandmother yesterday as well. Her grandmother had not been out of the hospital a week before the pandemic hit. Ashley had to visit over ten stores last night to get groceries for her family and her grandmother.

This morning, I called Sean’s “Cousin Jimmy” (Sean’s dad’s cousin) in Tennessee, who is recovering from pneumonia. Jimmy, by no means, needs to shop for his groceries during the pandemic, and especially while recovering from pneumonia. It got me thinking, what about other people who shouldn’t get out during COVID-19, or those who live remotely? What are they supposed to do for food?

I tried to make a local grocery pick up order for Jimmy, but they had no pick-up availability for the next two days. Plus, living 165 miles away and encroaching statewide COVID-19 travel restrictions don’t make for an easy car ride to pick up Jimmy’s groceries in the middle of the panic. However, it is a better option than Jimmy risking his health in the middle of this scare. Within 10 minutes of compiling the pick-up order, four of his items went “out of stock” because everyone was at the grocery store.

I told my friend Nancy about my predicament because I was worried about how Jimmy would get his groceries. Nancy, who is the best deal finder in the universe, told me that I should use Instacart. With Instacart, an employee goes to the grocery store, shops for you, and delivers the items to your house. This was genius because it is ONE employee who goes to the store to pick up groceries. Talk about an easy way to #flattenthecurve.

Jimmy and I composed his Instacart list, and Gary, an Instacart employee from Tennessee, swooped in and saved the day. I chatted with Gary as he shopped at the local Food City, which contracts with Instacart. Jimmy now has groceries and Gary has my thanks (and a tip).

If you have loved ones that don’t live close by and should not be leaving their house during COVID-19, or for all of us, because no one needs to leave home if it is not essential or critical for work, Instacart is the answer… or it is at least my answer.

As I was writing this, the economy weighed heavily on my mind. Instacart is also a way in the upcoming weeks to send some extra help to friends and family struggling with layoffs.

I want to show you how easy Instacart is to use.

My friend Nancy gave me a $10 coupon link where Jimmy got $10 off his first order. If you would like to use Nancy’s link for $10 off, it is listed below (while her referral code lasts).

Click HERE for $10 off your first order. Thanks, Nancy!

From your phone or computer, visit https://instacart.com

Input your zip code and create an account.

Type in your address and pick from delivery or pick-up.

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Once you type in your address and the delivery model, begin placing items into your online shopping cart. Since I just learned about this today, I am not 100%, but there are coupons that you can use too.

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Get your membership rewards credit by inputting your grocery value rewards number as well. For big-box wholesale stores (Costco, Sam’s, and BJ’s), your membership number is required.

When you are ready to check-out, select your delivery date and time.

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Type instructions or delivery notes.

Type in your phone number so that your shopper can text you any substitutions that you may need or if there is difficulty with an item.

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They will also send you a text when they are on the way.

We requested that Gary leave the groceries at Jimmy’s door. Jimmy was able to retrieve his items, wipe them down with Lysol wipes to protect himself, and he is now stocked for a while. We were able to leave Gary a rating and an adjust for an appreciative tip.

If you have items at your home that you need to send a loved one during COVID-19, Nancy mentioned that you can use a flat rate box at the post office and use the self-service machine at USPS to ship your package with little to no contact with others. This is a great option if you are in possession of the items that you need shipped.

Because of Nancy’s genius, Instacart, and Gary–Jimmy is now stocked with food and Brandi is a happy camper. If you are worried about loved ones, as long as you have their zip code, you can view the available stores in their area. May we ALL be safe during this scary time in our lives!

Do you have tips for getting loved ones’ items that they need? We would love to hear from you. Please drop us a line in the comment section below.

For more great content, check out the articles on the Charm of Savannah and Cycloramas.