The grocery delivery service was popular during last year’s lockdown, and the SVA started taking orders again nationwide last Thursday.
SVA Otago logistics officer Tom Yates said orders had started to come through, but they had plenty of capacity to take on more clients with ‘‘40 to 50 volunteers lined up, chomping to go’’.
‘‘I’d imagine once people know that the service is nationwide and in Dunedin again we should be getting pretty busy, and we’re excited to get busy.’’
The elderly were a major part of the clientele, but other groups such as single mothers and those without cars also used the service.
Delivering the groceries was only part of the service, with many clients taking the opportunity for a socially distanced chat also.
‘‘It’s part of the service, 100%, something to look forward to especially if they’re by themselves.’’
During last year’s lockdown some firm friendships were formed, and Mr Yates said he knew of one case where a volunteer continued to collect groceries for one elderly client for the rest of the year.
SVA Otago president Paris Fan said the Auckland branch was quite busy, but locally orders were down on last time meaning the focus was on getting the word out.
‘‘We would just hate for people to not know that we’re happening and need our services.’’
SVA chief executive Sam Johnson said the service filled a niche as a last resort for people who could afford groceries, but were not able to physically access the supermarket under lockdown conditions.
They did their best to fulfil any requests they received, with orders in remote West Coast locations being successfully filled during last year’s lockdown.
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"as a last resort for people who could afford groceries" and those who are unable to afford groceries, what then?, eg those on a benefit paying most of their income and then bills on top of that (increased power costs etc)....