Laketran’s Mentor Park-n-Ride location was transformed into a grocery delivery destination June 17 where over 450 Lake County seniors in need received boxes of produce and dairy items.

Offering a completely contactless pickup process, Laketran employees, community volunteers and elected officials alike, all equipped with personal protective equipment, worked together placing groceries in the trunks of seniors’ cars as they cruised through the lot.

To date, over 1,500 seniors have been served since the program launched in May.

The program has also expanded from serving 300 families to 450 each week. Originally slated to end in June, the program will now continue every Wednesday from noon to 3 p.m. through Aug. 12.

Among the crowd of volunteers was U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Bainbridge Township, who recognizes older adults have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"....With eight out of 10 coronavirus-related deaths having been individuals 65 and older, many seniors are still unable to go to the grocery store without fear of risking their health and well-being," Joyce said. "It’s on all of us to step up and do our part to protect them. It’s uplifting to see such a collective effort to meet this need in our community. I was honored to help Laketran distribute groceries to hundreds of seniors today.”

Additional partners include the Lake County commissioners, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Lifeline, Inc., Lake County Council on Aging, Lake Humane Society and RSVP of Lake County.

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