In the Spotlight: Cart to Heart is Ready to Deliver!

"It’s a life-saver for me, and my volunteer is wonderful. I’m happy to be part of the program." —Ralphina, age 88

Additional Information

For related information please view our quarterly newsletter.
Spring 2010 Newsletter

Archived Articles

03/30/2010 - Jack Flora
03/30/2010 - Carol Gradkowski
03/30/2010 - Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Finali...
03/30/2010 - Service Coordination Expands to Marian P...
03/30/2010 - Relocation Support for Seniors
03/30/2010 - 2010 Quality Improvement Plans Underway
03/30/2010 - Senior Companion Program
03/30/2010 - PSO 2010 Community Partners Concert Feat...
12/28/2009 - In Memory of Mary Anne Kelly
12/28/2009 - 2009 Quality Improvement Plan

Ursuline Senior Services is now offering volunteer shopping services with our Cart to Heart program, throughout Allegheny County. The program was developed in response to a frequently expressed need of the seniors we serve for grocery shopping assistance. The Cart to Heart program offers grocery shopping services to homebound seniors. The program provides shopping service once or twice a month, delivers groceries right to the senior's kitchen, and provides a friendly visit from the volunteer.

After research of volunteer shopping programs throughout the country, a model of a shopping service was created and ready to try. In 2006, a small pilot of the program began in several communities in our service area. This pilot shopping program gave us an opportunity to develop and fine tune the service with feedback from the seniors and volunteers in the program. We have been gradually expanding the program and, in early 2010, the program expanded to accept referrals for seniors who live in all communities of Allegheny County.

Once we receive a referral for the shopping program, our staff makes an initial visit to the senior's home to explain the program, establish a shopping schedule, and answer any questions about the service. As a financial safeguard for the senior, we establish their personal shopping account. This ensures that the volunteer does not handle the senior's cash, checks or credit cards. The senior receives a monthly statement which summarizes their shopping trips and account. There is a small service fee for each trip, based on monthly income.

We match each senior with a screened and trained volunteer. Prior to the shopping date, we contact the senior to take their grocery order. On the shopping date, the volunteer purchases the groceries, delivers them and reviews the grocery order. The senior is also given a copy of their receipt. Volunteers have a brief friendly visit and can also help put away the groceries.

To be eligible for the Shopping Service, an individual must:

• Be age 60 or older
• Live in Allegheny County
• Be homebound or unable to leave home without assistance
• Have no other means to obtain groceries

Through the Cart to Heart program, seniors have choices about the food they receive, and the comfort of knowing that their food deliveries are scheduled and reliable. We can even accept coupons, as long as the senior sends them to us prior to the shopping date. Currently, our shoppers go to Giant Eagle stores. The program may soon be able to include trips to Shop N' Save and Wal-Mart (groceries only) as well.

If you would like to make a referral to the Cart to Heart program, be a volunteer shopper, or just have a few questions, you can call us at (412) 683-0400 x236 or email us at carttoheart@ursulineseniors.org.