The idea behind creating a free grocery-delivery service by students to the needy occurred to Point Loma High School student Madelyn “Maddie” Wozniak pre-pandemic, when her high-risk grandparents moved in with her family. “We needed to get them groceries and they just couldn’t leave the house,” said the 16-year-old junior. “It was very hard to find a service that could help us get those groceries. It took us hours (of looking) to find one.”
Noting she didn’t want others to face the same dilemma, the notion struck Wozniak that there was a community void that needed to be filled.
“I texted a few friends and asked if they would be interested in delivering groceries to seniors or other needy people like women with babies,” she said. Her friends’ response was so positive, it prompted Wozniak to start Store-2-Door with a website promoting a free student delivery service.
“It just took off from there,” said Wozniak noting those availing themselves of Store-2-Door’s services pay for their own groceries while adding there’s no charge whatsoever for delivery.
“In March we started doing runs to places like Target and grocery stores, even take-out,” Wozniak said. “We posted on Next Door on March 29, and we got two clients that day. Since then, we’ve done about 50 runs, about 25 of them regulars, about three a day, that we keep track of on a spreadsheet.”
Of Wozniak’s efforts, PLHS principal Hans Becker said, “She is the student who masterminded this. I’m so proud of her.”
Store-2-Door is also active now on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. The student-run delivery program was recently featured in a CBS TV 8 news feature.
Wozniak said that, right now, the idea is to continue the delivery program “until we’re through with the pandemic.”
She added the program, which started in Point Loma, has now gone regional.
“We have different student groups in different areas around San Diego like in North County and Chula Vista,” Wozniak said. “We have at least 60 students now participating from different high schools. If someone needs help, I just text one of our student volunteers who are available to do a run in that area.”
Wozniak added all deliveries are made with Covid-19 safety precautions in place.
“We make sure all of the students are wearing masks and gloves and wiping everything down,” she said. “It’s very safe.”