Grocery Shopping Program

Berks Encore and Redner's Warehouse Markets are proud to offer the service of grocery home delivery. If you are over the age of 50, and have difficulty getting to a grocery store or doing your own shopping, Berks Encore will try to find a volunteer who will do your shopping and deliver the groceries to your home on a regular basis.


The process is simple:

  • Call into our office to place an order on a Monday or Tuesday (8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.) to receive delivery some time Wednesday through Sunday.
  • Your volunteer shopper will call you to schedule a delivery time.
  • The volunteer will purchase the groceries at a local Redner's Warehouse Markets, using a Berks Encore charge card.
  • When your groceries are delivered, you will need to pay for the groceries with a check made out to Berks Encore, along with a $5 handling fee
  • You can place an order weekly, or less frequently.
  • Each order will be limited to 25 items.

Click here to download a flier that contains program information to share with friends, family and co-workers.

How to Register

To register, please complete the application form and mail it to Berks Encore. Once we are able to assign a volunteer in your area, they will either call or visit you to understand your shopping needs and discuss when they are available to shop and deliver your groceries.

SNAP Recipients

A note for SNAP (Food Stamp) recipients: At the start of the pilot program we unfortunately will NOT be able to accept payment by the SNAP program. We hope to be able to process SNAP payments in the near future. If you want to be able to use your SNAP debit card, still register and we will contact you when we are able to handle those payments. If you are a SNAP participant, but want to begin the program before we are able to accept SNAP payments, please note that on the bottom of the form.

Volunteering

If you know of someone interested in being a volunteer to do the grocery shopping and delivering the items to someone in the Reading area, please also call Rodney at 610-374-3195 x208. They can do the shopping during the day or week-ends. We need your help to offer this much needed program to our seniors. You can also complete the Volunteer Application and fax it to Rodney's attention at (610) 374-3483.

Why Join The Program?

"My neighbors have been wonderful helping me, but I don't want to ask for their help too often. This program has changed my life because now I am eating food again that I couldn't get before and it is wonderful. Also, my volunteer is very helpful, congenial and is very interested in what she's doing. She's very nice and I think she enjoys helping. I thank God that there are people like her. We really need more people like her."
— Jeanne, grocery shopping program recipient

Why Volunteer?

"I personally enjoy bringing what little bit of time I can to share a smile and a few moments of conversation with the seniors I have the pleasure of serving, and I believe I can spare an hour or so a week to provide a friendly visit. I think the act of visiting is the most important part. I believe they really appreciate the services and knowing that someone cares about them. I truly love to give, and I always leave my visits with such a good feeling that I have left behind a moment of joy for that person, no matter how small or brief, the feelings of care and compassion linger."
— Kellie, grocery shopping program volunteer

Volunteer Form

If you would like to volunteer, please click here to download a volunteer application. Completed forms can be faxed to (610) 374-3483, attention Rodney.

Client Registration Form

Clients can click here to download a form to register for the program. Please fax the completed form to Rodney at (610) 374-3483 or mail it to 40 North 9th Street, Reading, PA 19601, attention: Rodney.