Save Mart adding extra grocery shopping hours for first responders during coronavirus
The Save Mart Cos. with grocery stores in Sacramento, Modesto, Merced and Fresno, will open an hour early and stay open an hour late, so first responders throughout California and Northern Nevada can shop for groceries as they continue to work during the coronavirus pandemic.
California residents have been ordered to stay home as much as possible to slow the spread of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus, and protect those most vulnerable.
First responders, which are considered to be law enforcement, firefighting and medical personnel, are considered essential and continue working during the statewide stay-at-home order. Now, they will have extra time to shop at all Save Mart, FoodMaxx and Lucky stores.
“Medical, law and fire personnel are putting their lives on the line during this pandemic, and we want to thank them and make their lives a little easier by extending these special dedicated shopping hours to them.” Senior Vice President of Retail Operations Hal Levitt said in a news release.
This additional grocery shopping time for first responders, which started Thursday, will be one hour before the posted opening time at each store and one hour after the posted closing time. The first responders will need to provide proof of credentials to shop during these hours.
Levitt said these first responders are in need of additional shopping hours, because of the impact of the pandemic on their work schedules. He said the idea for the extra shopping time came from conversations with local and regional police, sheriff, and firefighting officials, as well as local hospitals and healthcare providers.
The Modesto-based Save Mart Cos. also has dedicated shopping hours for the elderly and vulnerable populations every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 9 a.m. at all its stores. It also has extended all Lucky and Save Mart pharmacy hours from 7 to 9 a.m., according to the news release.
Save Mart was looking to hire in-store employees, drivers, and warehouse team members to meet the new demand during the coronavirus pandemic. The available jobs at each location can be found on the Save Mart website.
