HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Department of Aging in partnership with the Volunteer Center of Reno County Friends in Action program is offering a free grocery shopping and delivery program. The new program is for residents of Reno County over the age of 60 who live outside the city limits of Hutchinson and South Hutchinson.

The Reno County Volunteer Center Friends in Action has conducted a shopping and delivery program for older residents of Hutchinson and South Hutchinson for over 5 years with great success. While this is a county-wide program, transporting groceries to rural areas has been a barrier.

The Reno County Department of Public Transportation received permission from the Reno County Commissioners not to sell a Reno County Area Transportation minivan when it was replaced through a grant from KDOT last December and instead, transfer it to the Department of Aging for the purpose of delivering groceries to seniors who live in rural areas of the county. Support for this grocery shopping and delivery program was provided by a grant from the Kansas Health Foundation Public Health Endowment Fund of the Hutchinson Community Foundation.

The program was launched in May and is currently serving two participants who live in Sylvia. Those interested in participating are invited to call the Reno County Department of Aging at 620-694- 2911 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for more information and to sign up.