Safeway workers ‘adopt’ senior living facility by shopping for their groceries

LACEY, Wash. — Workers at a Lacey Safeway are going above and beyond their typical job duties to help seniors stay safe.

After hearing residents at Bonaventure, a nearby senior living facility, needed help getting their groceries, Safeway workers immediately stepped up to the plate.

“It’s kind of like having a personal shopper at no charge,” said Charles Aly.

Aly, 86, lives at Bonaventure in Lacey. Coronavirus is keeping him and his neighbors close to home.

“This is a hotbed for that virus, this place and places like it, this is where most vulnerable people are,” he said.

Many people aren’t comfortable going grocery shopping.

“They have health conditions that really put them at risk, heart issues, lung issues, those types of things, so it’s immensely important for everyone, not just our vulnerable, to stay home during this time,” Misty Ruzicka, Bonaventure Lacey executive director.

Bonaventure needed a way to keep their seniors safe. They heard workers at the Safeway on Yelm Highway wanted to help.

“Even our families can’t come, so many of us wouldn’t have options otherwise if it wasn’t for Safeway,” said Aly.

Safeway and Bonaventure teamed up.

Every Tuesday, Bonaventure workers pick up grocery lists from residents.

Wednesday night, Safeway workers shop. They spend hours selecting fruits and veggies, bagging groceries and labeling them with each person's room number.

Thursday, they cart the food out, load it up and send it off.

“It’s just part of being human, I guess, just doing our best to make sure we are helping the community and making sure they are getting the food they need,” Frank Rangel, Safeway PIC.

“We know how important it is for them, so it makes us feel so good,” said Katelyn Courson, Safeway PIC.

The generosity isn't going unnoticed.

“I couldn’t be more proud. I think that 99-percent of the people would’ve said, ‘I don’t think we can do that,’ but these guys are already going above and beyond and then, just to grab on to the community and go above and beyond even more, I couldn’t be more proud,” said Jess Jasper, Safeway store director.

Residents at Bonaventure said the help makes them feel special.

“Thank you,” said Jerry Youngblood

“It’s a good feeling, you feel like other people care for us,” said Helen Youngblood.

At Bonaventure, they've filled a poster board with appreciation and praise to thank the grocery store workers who are keeping them out of harm's way.

“The people who are doing things, like delivering people’s groceries and bringing people food, are saving lives. So, they’re heroes, they really are,” said Aly.

Because of social distancing, right now thank yous from Bonaventure residents are limited to written letters and cards, but, as soon as they can, the senior living facility plans to throw a party and invite the Safeway workers so people can thank them in person.

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