100,000 Home Deliveries and Counting!

Wow, 100,000 Home Deliveries. Who would have thought that this would have been even possible this time last year? In a time so affected by the pandemic, this has truly shown that we as a Society continue to showcase our values in action and help support our most vulnerable members & customers in the community.

As covered by Phil in his blog, the 100,000^th Home Delivery was given to Mrs Langdown by local florist and regular volunteer Helen Arrowsmith. Already serving the community of Wem for many years, Helen is a florist by trade but was forced, like many, to adjust her personal circumstances. Seeing an opportunity at the start of the pandemic to help and support her local area, she became a Home Delivery volunteer for the Wem Food store based in Shropshire.

Helen Arrowsmith, who has supported Wem Food store with over 1,000 Home Deliveries

With access to her florist van, she has now selflessly been able to help her local community with over 1,000 home deliveries alone – a substantial achievement! Helen is just one of the many volunteers who has been helping and supporting our colleagues undertake Home Deliveries since it began last year.

Wem Food Store Manager, Simon Thornley, presenting Helen with a special hamper

Simon Thornley, Wem Food Store Manager added “We have been very lucky to have had the support of some fantastic volunteers delivering for us, many going above and beyond at times. Helen Arrowsmith has been the standout for us, taking orders out 6 days a week at times, and in doing so has probably taken nearly half of our deliveries. Being Wem born and bred, she knows a lot of the customers she goes to and has been a vital part of what we have done.”

In total, more than 3,000 home deliveries from the store have been completed in the Shropshire area since working with local volunteers like Helen. They provide the opportunity of community service and most importantly a person to talk to while many of our vulnerable members and customers are unable to visit a local store.

Just some of the Shropshire Home Deliveries, including Board Member Barbara Rainford (top left) and a special note for Ian (bottom left, loading into the Green Landrover) who has also done numerous deliveries for the store.

Simon also mentioned “It’s been a fantastic effort from all the colleagues in-store over the past 9 months, to support the elderly, vulnerable and those members in Wem and surrounding areas who have had to isolate. Some colleagues like Beth and Lisa have been doing this since day 1, and have a real rapport with some of the members we speak to each week, as it's not just about the shopping, it's also about the contact with them as many do not see a lot of people while they have been stopping in.”

Colleagues Beth and Lisa from Wem Food Store supporting Helen with the Home Deliveries

What it means to our Home Delivery customers – Hear from the Mrs Langdown, the 100,000^th Home Delivery