Community Chat

[Carmie]

@Boehm Collectori am in PA. There is no shortage of food where I live.  The shelves are stocked. Flour is a little hard to come by as are cleaning supplies, but for the most part, there are no problems here.

[Carmie]

@proudlyfromNJ   I read a lot at a lot of different sources.  I know everything out there isn't true, but most of it is or at the very least it piques my interest and I research further.

Also, my mind is like a trap.  I have great recall of what I have read.

Now, if I could just remember why I climbed two flights of steps, I would be okay.

I try to remain neutral and not let my prejudices guide me.

You know we always don't agree, but I do l Ike to hear your thoughts on things.  I have learned a lot from you and occasionally, you've  change my mind on things.

Keep posting.  

[Spurt]

---

@ptagirl wrote:

---

@Mominohio wrote:

---

@stevieb wrote:

No food, no Kleenex, no toilet paper, no cleaning products, no masks... Instead of our leaders at all levels rattling on and on about the medical aspects of the situation, which clearly they, nor the supposed medical experts, have a clue how to contain or eliminate, some of them really should, by now, have turned their attention to the fact that the population needs food and essentials. Whenever I see someone waxing eloquent about this great land of ours, I feel compelled to point out that no aspect of this crisis has been or is being handled at all well and in fact, others have done a better job. When something 'unprecedented' happens, we require creative solutions and we're not seeing any. We've essentially been relegated to living in a 3rd world country.

---

I don't disagree with much of this, but I do have to say, that it really is all about things starting at the individual level. 

We each have to take the responsibility to figure out ways to be prepared for things we expect to happen (like a hurricane if you live in Florida) and things that could happen but aren't normal, like this event. 

Then once people have the mindset of personal preparedness, that will transfer and grow into their professional life and their community life. 

Where were all the lower level government workers and elected officials not demanding more preparedness at their level before any of this? Where were the people working in the lower levels of health care not demanding better stocking of PPE? Where were all the retailers that knew the just in time supply chain was fragile?

Most truly successful endeavors start at the grass roots level, when the masses of any group know what they need/want, and work to secure it for themselves through their employer, union, elected officials etc. It's those in the trenches of any group, those doing the daily dirty work, that really know what is what, what they need, what they are lacking, what works and what doesn't, and they need to be more demanding from now on (whatever that takes), and be listened to from now on. 

With today's 24/7 media, with social media, people today can be more easily heard, can more easily call attention to needs or things lacking than ever before in history, and it needs to be happening with preparedness in every level of government and business and health care. 

---

@Mominohio I totally agree with you.. individuals should be somewhat prepared re: food/supplies/fuel, etc. befoe something like this hits... you never know what will happen...people have come to depend upon the government for most everything...

I'm hoping we all will be better prepared if something out of the ordinary should/will happen again, this includes the government... we continue to live in an uncertain world... we can only control what we can control ourselves...

---

@ptagirl 

Being "some what prepared" and hoarding is a fine line....Coordination doesnt have to even involve government....It should be organized by those that run the "food chain"....suppliers, distributors, and grocers (keep those fools that live in the DC area out of it!!!)....

Here its funnny how some stores owned by the SAME GROCERY STORE CHAIN are well run and are the ones that are well stocked (at least in our city)....while those with poor managers are the ones with empty shelves.  One Manager even told my friend he knew who the hoarders were but did nothing about it....he doesnt seem to care about nothing but profits!!!..And his store is always poorly stocked and has empty shelves......

Grass roots movement---you say--- you got it....people started writing on the grocery stores Facebook Pages and in online feedback forms complaining about the lack of control and limitations that should be placed on essential products so we could ALL have a chance to get supplies.....And FINALLY they listened.....However, now they are removing those controls, when stock still remains limited on certain items.... 

Yep, it really depends on the management of these companies to keep the supply chain going.....and some dont seem up to the task...  Thats my 2 cents!!!

[Spurt]

---

@ScrapHappy wrote:

I've never done my food shopping on line so I don't know if this would have any effect of not getting the items you ordered but when I go grocery shopping, I'm not getting the brand I'd usually buy or a particular item.  For example:  I like Progresso bread crumbs, but they only had Kroger brand and if I wanted Oreo's and they only had chocolate chip.  Does shopping on instantcart allow for substitutions?  I'm not getting many of the things I'd usually pick up at the grocery store.  I've been buying things I have never tried before.

---

@ScrapHappy 

Ive been with Instacart for grocery delivery for awhile pre and post pandemic....I ALWAYS make sure to include a replacement item which their APP recommends, or I also place an additional suggestion in the place they give to add an online note. If your item is out of stock, your shopper will text you....they will offer a replacement thats available, you can approve or diapprove the replacement on line...or chat with your shopper online ....but if there is nothing available they will just refund you....(and yes Ive had to settle a few times for store brands rather than a national brand but the store brand was fine....just glad I got the product)...

I found its now important to be very deligent and focused on your app when your shopping is in progress until completion....that way you can approve or disapprove replacements and make further recommendations....Ive always been pleased with Instacart and the shoppers Ive had have always tried their best and were professional....of course I do give them a GOOD tip for their efforts...the convenience is worth it to me....especially now...............

[butterfly123]

@josie 

Have you contacted anyone to help you find groceries?

Teens Helping Seniors is a free service in your state. I don’t know if they deliver in your vicinity or not. The service was recently started by two teenagers who follow all safety measures and have contactless delivery available.

[Spurt]

---

@josie wrote:

When I say can't get out, I'm 70, a widow lost both my adult son's and husband and only have a few cousins who live elsewhere and I'm handicap. I was getting my groceries delivered but now the waiting list for a date is months away.

---

@josie 

Have you tried contacting local volunteer agencies...they are helping seniors here... try the Salavation Army, Meals On Wheels, and even give some churches a call....they are helping seniors in situations that are just like yours.....

[josie]

Well my date with Giant Delivery is on April 23 so far they have only removed 4 items from my cart so hopefully by the time the 23rd gets here I will receive the rest of my items...still no TP available, but chicken, deli meat and cheese, bread fruit and vegetables available...no soup, no pasta, no sauce, no butter or margarine...we shall see

[eddyandme]

Wow!  Five items out of thirty-three doesn't sound right, @josie .  It sound more like a problem with the shopper, not the supply.

I've been shopping for me and my neighbor.  So far I've gotten everything she's wanted:  I did pick up the unsalted instead of salted butter 'cause I forgot to ask which she preferred.  And, when the store had blueberries 2 for $5, I was only allowed to buy two even thought I was shopping for two of us.  And, when she wanted a rotisserie chicken, I had gone before they were ready, so one was put aside and I went back after having a coffee (and bought another two blueberries!

I have encountered problems with frozen vegetables.  They seem to be like TP, get there early 'cause the cases will soon be deplenished.  I think most people have ignored the fresh stuff and gone to the frozen due to the pandemic, I know, I have.

Though there are many markets in the area, I shop in our small-town grocery store and to date, haven't really encountered any supply problems.  It's just strange seeing everybody wearing a mask and staying away from one another with much less friendy chatter.  Shopping isn't fun anymore.

As for Amazonsmile, had no problem getting TP - and, a very good brand at a decent price.  A box of tissues on subscribe and save was supposedly delayed - by one day!

Perhaps you should request a different shopper.  Haven't tried any of those services so don't know how they work, but assume some shoppers are better at their job than others.

[sfnative]

@josie 

If you're in a part of the US with a Kroger store or Fred Meyer Store, you can order your items on your computer and they will be delievered to you.  Right now, many Krogers and Fred Meyers are delivering for no charge. 

[Toppers3]

---

@kivah wrote:

There's no drama on my site. If a neighbor or two says something annoying or rude - I "HIDE THEM." You just click the down arrow on the right side of their name - and click.

This site is also my life-line since most of the time, I'm alone.

Always be POSITIVE!!!!

---

I just recently joined, thanks to finding out about it here on the forums. 

I have not encountered any kind of gossip.

I have mostly encountered friendly and helpful people, who are trying to help those who need it at this time.

They're willing to volunteer to get food and toilet paper for those who need it.

I've also seen people asking for recommendations for repairmen, and things like that, and at this time, who is open for business for certain kinds of appointments.

@josie ,

If you're still having difficulty getting the groceries that you need, I would also recommend trying the website nextdoor.com for your neighborhood.

You have to register for your area, but it doesn't cost anything to do it.

There are so many helpful people who are willing to help their neighbors at this time on the site, and who are willing to volunteer to go to the supermarkets and stores to get food and toilet paper for those who need it.

It might be worth a try to see if anyone is willing to do this in your area.

I have also seen posts of people asking for help, where they're asking if someone can pick up some toilet paper for them.

So, you have those asking, and you have those volunteering to do it, too.