Support Adults 55+ to Thrive - Be a Shopping Buddy!

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• Do you want to make a difference in someone’s life?

• Do you want to grow your skills working with others in a service-oriented environment?

• Do you have experience and skills to share from a personal or professional background working with older adults?

• Do you like to have fun? Connect with others ? Learn about yourself?

If you said yes to any of the above, then we need you!

Foundation Communities is a local nonprofit dedicated to providing quality affordable housing and support services to families and individuals. We operate 8 supportive housing communities for single adults in Austin.

Shopping Buddies matches volunteers with adult residents ages 55+ to assist with grocery shopping. Due to mobility impairments and other barriers, our participating residents lack reliable, consistent access to the grocery store. Volunteers can help address this vital need in one of two ways:

• If the client is able to , volunteers can provide transportation to and from the grocery store and assist with shopping and unloading.

• If the client has barriers to going to the store, volunteers  assist by picking up curbside orders and delivering to the resident’s apartment; volunteers may also assist with placing curbside orders online. 

Volunteers create their schedule with the client they are matched with 1: 1, and will communicate directly with the client. Shopping trips are expected to occur once or twice per month based on the resident’s needs and the volunteer’s availability. Shopping trips can occur any day of the week , including weekends and evenings .

Volunteers must be 18+, able to make a 6-month commitment and have access to reliable transportation. Volunteers will also be required to clear background and driving background checks (no cost) and provide proof of current auto insurance. New volunteers are required to review a one-hour training video online.

We currently have multiple residents in need of a Shopping Buddy. Let us know you're interested for information on how to get started!