River East seniors receiving help to get groceries [Video]

A new pilot program in the River East area is helping seniors leave the house and get groceries.

Kildonan-River East MLA Rachelle Schott, Transportation Options Network for Seniors (TONS), Good Neighbours, and the Senior Resource Finder in the area all joined forces to start this program that picks up seniors from their buildings and brings them to a nearby grocery store once a month.

October was the first month they did it, and Wednesday was their November trip.

Serena Bittner, the executive director of TONS, said the turnout has been fantastic so far and it is really helping seniors’ quality of life.

“We know that food security and transportation go hand-in-hand, and it’s super important to have transportation that is accessible, affordable, and close to the destination,” said Bittner.

She said the seniors get the groceries they need, and then volunteers help load and unload the groceries once they get …