SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — Southampton Town has launched a new shopping assistance program for seniors in need.
Southampton City Councilwoman Cyndi McNamara sponsored a resolution this week authorizing an agreement with Heart of the Hamptons to implement an “essential shopping program” for adult, older residents, according to officials.
Heart of the Hamptons is a local non-profit organization that helps people in need. the agency will provide a part-time shopping assistant who can help older adult residents get their groceries and prescriptions, officials said.
Southampton Town received a $40,000 grant from the Suffolk County Office on Aging to fund the program, officials said.
“I am excited about this partnership,” said McNamara. “This will be a great service for some of the most vulnerable members of our community, our seniors.”
“I am grateful to the county for providing this grant, which enables Senior Services to partner with Heart of the Hamptons to provide this much-needed assistance to our city's seniors,” said Kara Bak, director of housing and community services. “This will be a very important service for those seniors who cannot or cannot easily go out to shop and pick up groceries or prescriptions.”
Senior Services has identified 55 existing clients who would benefit from additional shopping assistance provided through the program, city officials said. The goal is to serve nine to 10 customers per week.
Once a senior is referred to Senior Services, we will contact that person to determine if they need help shopping and, if so, to determine the level and frequency of help. If the senior wants to participate, Heart of the Hamptons will then coordinate assistance.
The resolution was unanimously approved by the city council.
