Volunteering with Sidney Thrifty Foods’ Sendial program is something Lillian Tripp doesn’t see herself stopping anytime soon. After all, she’s been a volunteer with the phone-in grocery service since 1987, just after its inception.
“I’ll keep doing it as long as I can. I just love it, I’m going in next week like I always do,” laughed Tripp when she was asked if she plans on keeping her volunteer position with the service that helps seniors and shut-ins get their grocery shopping done.
Not only has Tripp volunteered with the Sidney Thrifty Foods Sendial program for 25 years, she’s also been a Sidney resident since 1926.
“She’s a very sweet person that everyone loves,” said Sendial Captain Sandy McCallum. “She’s in her late 80s but she’s been doing it for 25 years now and still volunteers. She’s amazing.”
Last month at the annual Sendial volunteer luncheon, Tripp was awarded with a 25-year service pin from Thrifty Foods.
“It was a great honour,” said Tripp of the award. “I was escorted up to front to accept my pin by a couple of gents including Jason Boudewyn who was the old (Sidney) store manager. It was nice to see him,” Tripp said.
Sendial volunteers work the phone Sunday, Monday and Wednesday and on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday Thrifty’s Employees shop the orders that were taken the previous day.
“Thrifty’s rings the orders through and delivers them,” explained McCallum, who estimates volunteers fill about 25 to 30 orders per day, or close to 100 a week.
“It’s really a fantastic service for people,” said Tripp. “That’s why I keep doing it.”