An increase in online shopping has resulted in supermarket giant Safeway closing its home delivery service in Bundoora.
An elderly couple, who do not want to be named, said they were told the $5 delivery service would close because too few people used it.
The couple said they did not use the internet and would have to get a taxi to ferry their groceries home.
Supermarkets started offering home delivery services for groceries at a nominal cost many years ago to help the elderly, disabled and others who could not carry their purchases.
But in a sign of the times many customers, including the elderly, now shop online and have goods delivered.
Woolworths spokesman Benedict Brook confirmed the Bundoora delivery service would end.
“Traditional home delivery from our Bundoora store will finish due to the small number of customers using the service, less than 10, and the increasing numbers choosing the convenience of online shopping,” Mr Brook said.
“If there are any current home delivery customers who aren’t in a position to use online shopping, we’d encourage them to contact their local Woolworths store manager to see what alternative arrangements can be made to ensure their peace of mind.”
But Whittlesea Community Connections (WCC) chief executive officer Jemal Ahmet said the elderly and disabled needed delivery or other help to get their groceries home.
“It might only be a few hundred metres to the bus stop, but if you are in your 80s that is a long way to haul groceries.” He said the WCC had raised $62,000 – including $10,000 from an anonymous resident – towards an $80,000 second-hand, 24-seat bus to help locals get around.
“We want the elderly to stay independent and to end isolation; things as simple as getting their groceries help that,” he said.
To donate, call WCC on 9401 6666.
