Ever have days when you don’t want to leave the house? Perhaps it’s raining or too hot or you just don’t feel up to it. All of us feel that way sometimes, but some of us just cannot easily leave the house due to disabilities.
Fortunately, there are several options in Hyattsville for bringing things right to our door.
First, let’s talk groceries. Top Banana, which has been delivering groceries to seniors since 1982, delivers to seniors in Hyattsville and elsewhere in Prince George’s County.
Chief executive Jean Guiffre began Top Banana when her mother was unable to leave her high-rise apartment to buy groceries. The nonprofit serves persons with disabilities as well as seniors.
Customers call each week that they want groceries on a designated call-in day (Monday for Prince George’s County), and groceries are delivered on Wednesday. There is a small delivery fee based on the customer’s ability to pay.
According to Top Banana, its delivery folks will bring your groceries and put them right on the counter or in the cabinets, refrigerator or freezer. To get started, call 301.372.3663.
Two major grocery chains – Giant and Safeway – also deliver in Hyattsville. Ordering for both is done online. Safeway orders are taken at www.safeway.com and the Giant delivery system, known as Peapod, is at www.peapod.com.
Need milk? The South Mountain Creamery in Middletown, Md. will deliver to your front door for a $4.99 fee. In addition to milk and milk products, the Creamery sells eggs, beef, pork, turkey and chicken. To get on a regular route, call 301.371.8565 or visit www.southmountaincreamery.com.
Lawson’s Pharmacy on Hamilton Street also delivers. The number there is 301.864.4043. The pharmacy charges a minimal fee of approximately $3 for delivery. It is recommended that customers visit in person the first time if possible.
The Meals on Wheels program is available for those who need prepared food delivered. The local program is sponsored by the First United Methodist Church of Hyattsville and nationally by the Meals on Wheels Association of America. There is a modest fee. Call 301.927.5615 for more information; at press time, federal funding cuts had made this program’s future uncertain.
The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System will deliver books to folks who are unable to visit the library themselves because of physical limitations. Those receiving homebound services must first qualify for the program; call 301.336.4253 for details.
Folks at the library tell me they could use some more volunteers for the homebound program. Volunteers pick up the books at the branch library and then take them to their readers. The library is Auntie’s favorite public institution and she volunteers at the Hyattsville branch twice a week. In these times of tight budgets, we should all try to pitch in where we can. To volunteer for the homebound program, call 301.985.4690.
Hyattsville Aging in Place (HAP) will also come to your home. Since early February, the all-volunteer nonprofit has given rides to doctor’s appointments and run errands, such as picking up prescription drugs from the pharmacies, for seniors. The organization is in need of more volunteers who can drive during daytime hours. To volunteer or register for services call HAP at 301.887.3101.
Auntie Diluviana is compiled by Molly Parish, one of the founding members of Hyattsville Aging in Place.
