Gary & Leo's, Senior Center offering grocery pick-up, delivery

Gary & Leo's Fresh Foods on First Street has partnered with the North Central Senior Center to provide a pick-up or delivery service for the elderly and people in and near Havre at high risk from exposure to novel coronavirus 2019.

People can call 400-2992 and order groceries between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays. Items can be delivered to any address within 1 mile of Havre between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. the day customers place their orders. Customers can also go to Gary & Leo's to pick up their orders directly.

The program was discussed at the county officials' meeting held at the Hill County Court house on Thursday.

Gary & Leo's co-owner Laura Malisani said this service is for the many people in Havre feeling isolated during the COVID-19 crisis.

This service isn't just for the elderly or those with suppressed immune systems, Malisani said, maybe a someone's child has pneumonia and they're nervous about going outside for fear of bringing the virus back with them.

She said she doesn't want to be the one to determine who is and isn't "at risk," and that she believes people are responsible enough to make that distinction for themselves.

Malisani said the volunteers working for the program will be following social distancing guidelines and make sure to maintain the recommended social distance of six feet, but they will also be sure to ask everyone who shows up to pick up items if they are doing all right during this difficult time.

She also asked for patience from the public because the program has only just started.

"We're figuring it out as we're going along," she said.

The program is being staffed by volunteers from North Central Senior's Center but depending on how much demand there is, Malisani said, the program may be willing to take more volunteers. She said applications are available at Gary & Leo's for anyone who's healthy.