Gustine offering free delivery of food, items to residents during coronavirus pandemic
The City of Gustine is trying to find creative ways to help their citizens shelter-in, as the nation deals with the coronavirus pandemic — while also supporting local businesses.
The city is offering free delivery of food and pharmacy needs to help residents abide by Governor Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Beginning on Monday, March 23, the city will offer free delivery for people living within Gustine city limits. The food must come from a list of restaurants that includes El Picocito, Kemp BBQ, Perry’s More than Pizza, Pizza Factory, Subway and Wolfsen’s.
The city will be helping out with deliveries from these restaurants during lunch from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and dinner from 4 to 8 p.m. Residents must pay by phone.
“The establishment will call City Hall and we will dispatch either an officer, volunteer or explorer to deliver your item to your doorstep at no charge to you,” the city stated in a release. “No money will be handled by our delivery people.”
The city will attempt to deliver items as quickly as possible.
“This is the city’s way of saying that we appreciate you being there for us,” the release stated. “Now we are here to help all of you get through this and we are all, Gustine.”
The coronavirus pandemic has put pressure on many Merced County businesses, forcing some to move to take-out meals and service, while others have temporarily closed.
Unlike some Merced County jurisdictions, the city has not declared a local emergency and its City Hall doors remain open.
“We don’t see the emergency hitting us yet,” City Manager Douglas Dunford said, noting that Gustine falls under the county’s emergency declaration.
The front lobby is still open to the public, but social distancing is being followed by employees and at City Council meetings. A phone line will be set up at the next council meeting for the public to call, instead of attending.
“We’re still trying to conduct business as usual under the constrictions being placed on us,” said Dunford.
Aside from school closures, Dunford said many businesses have remained open and are operating as normally as possible.
The police department is reaching out to senior citizens to see if they need assistance.
“Each city is trying to do the best they can under the conditions,” Dunford said.
This story was originally published March 21, 2020 at 4:16 PM with the headline "Gustine offering free delivery of food, items to residents during coronavirus pandemic."
