I live on the middle floor of my apartment building, up one flight of eight steps. Because of tumors on the spinal cord I use a walker to get around. I have no trouble getting around during the day, I just drag the walker down the steps when I go out. The trouble comes when I get groceries. It’s a major pain in the ass trying to bring in 20 bags of groceries one bag at a time! I have checked out Peapod, a company that delivers groceries to your house but they do not operate in my area. I was wondering is if there is a community group or club that would be willing to come here and haul my groceries in for me once a month…
Would love to hear from anyone else who has had this problem and what you did about it.
A couple of suggestions that might work, I don’t know…
If you are a member (or even if you’re not) try a local church or other religous congregation. Many of them love to help people in the community.
Maybe the local boy or girl scout troop in your area. I’m sure either one might be able to find someone to help.
Talk to your building manager. Maybe he/she knows someone who could give a hand if needed.
Hope this helps just a bit.
whatmai
Buncha stuff, see if any of it’s useful. A lot of it is “Your Tax Dollars At Work”, so don’t be shy about calling them and asking for help–after all, you paid for it. And, be explicit about what you need–“someone to tote groceries up one flight of stairs once a month”. When dealing with bureaucrats, speak slowly and use words of one syllable. 
And, I know you’re not retarded, so you can just ignore the links to the various MRDD sites, but there are other “adult services” links in there amongst them.
Some of this is probably duplicates.
Also, are you a Senior? Usually meaning “55 or over”.
http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/comm/ohio.html
http://ddc.ohio.gov/Link/alpha.htm
http://gcpd.ohio.gov/links.htm
http://odmrdd.state.oh.us/Includes/Links.htm
http://www.biaoh.org/resOhioPgms.asp
http://www.fce-mrdd.net/resources.htm
I bet if you put a classified ad in the paper some people will come forward willing to help. A lot of students need community service time.
Putting a classified ad in the paper will also attract thieves and con artists, too. I would recommend against that.
That’s a good point, Broomstick. Perhaps the OP could ask about hanging a little poster in the local high school?
I’ve noticed a few grocery stores offer this service, even if they don’t have giant signs advertising it. I know mine does, you just have to ask. This is most likely to be offered (IME) from a store that has “baggers” and/or people who bring your groceries out to your car (though in the end, these places tend to be a bit more expensive). I don’t remember the cost I saw at the one store my mom shops at, and I’m sure it varies. Just ask a clerk or the store manager to see if they offer this service - you might be surprised.
Would installing rails along the side of the stairs be possible? Then you could get one of those pull-carts, and maybe pull it up the rails, rather than up each step? I don’t know if your physical condition would allow that, but perhaps this could be done fairly inexpensively if the steps are wide enough and it wouldn’t inhibit traffic too much.
No doubt the cost would vary, but it would probably still turn out to be cheaper than the markup on stuff from Peapod would be.
Something else that occurs is that, perhaps instead of buying 20 bags of groceries once per month, that the OP could buy a single bag of groceries every day or so, and put them in a sack or basket that would attach to the front of the walker. Of course, if getting to the store is a hassle in itself, this wouldn’t work, but I’m not entirely clear on what the situation is.
Do you know many of your neighbors? Are there any kids in the building? Even if you don’t know any neighbors who have kids, perhaps if you ask all of them, they can ask the neighbors they know.
How about friends in the neighborhood? Even if none of your friends have kids, they have friends themselves, so asking everyone you know is a good idea.
It may or may not be a good idea to post a message that you’re looking for some help in a laundry room or such in your apartment. Depends on how secure your building is. Probably not a good idea, but you be the judge.
How are you doing financially? Can you afford to pay someone to help you? Even $5 would be a great incentive to a teenager in the building or close by. If you can afford it, definitely mention it to friends and neighbors you ask.
Good luck.
Well, the OP mentioned looking into Peapod, and I’m certain that their delivery fee would be more than $5.00. But I agree that offering money is a great motivator!
Also, there are some other delivery services available. I know that Safeway has several metro areas they serve on the west coast. Maybe a chain near you has delivery services. They usually charge around 10.00 or so. There was a thread about it recently. Let me see if I can find it…
The classified ad is probably not the best idea on second thought. I was thinking something sounding like “Volunteer help needed once or twice a month” and not something advertising anymore information than that at first. I think the best idea so far is contacting the Boy Scouts or a church’s youth group.
First I wanna thank everyone who replied. Still checking things out but I am definatly gonna ask Krogers if they have a delivery service.
Jeffro