Island Men In Kilts window-washing franchise employees are volunteering to pick up and deliver grocery orders to older residents and others with mobility challenges.

The Campbell River-based franchise is joining Men In Kilt franchises across Canada to provide free grocery delivery service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

鈥淭here are elderly people that can鈥檛 get out and get groceries, can鈥檛 get and get those pharmacies and can鈥檛 get out and even get themselves a bottle of wine if they want a relaxing evening,鈥� said Chris Strong, owner of the Campbell River franchise. 鈥淪o we鈥檝e offered to do that for them free of charge.鈥�

The volunteers will follow basic safety protocols like using e-transfer as much as possible and if they have to use cash, they鈥檒l accept it in an envelope.

鈥淲e try to maintain no contact with whoever it is that we鈥檙e dealing with, only through a door,鈥� Strong said.

For example, on Tuesday, they filled a grocery order for a person in Campbell River by picking up an envelope and a list from outside his door, doing the shopping and then returning with the order. They leave the supplies on the front step, ring the bell and be on their way.

鈥淲e鈥檙e gloved 100 per cent of the time because we are in a business where we are basically washing our hands all the time anyway. We understand the necessity of that cleaning,鈥� Strong said.

The idea was posted on social media and it has 鈥渢aken off鈥� right across the country. Strong estimates that the Campbell River crew could accommodate one or two people a day.

Strong said it is done strictly on a volunteer basis by his employees, he has eight up and down the Island.

鈥淚 haven鈥檛 had one per who said no,鈥� Strong said.

They鈥檙e willing to go and buy the 鈥渘ecessities of life鈥� for people. They鈥檙e not going to go and buy a game for someone or six flats of beer. But on the other hand, one person asked them to pick up a bottle of wine and Strong said, 鈥淣o problem.鈥�

鈥渢rying to keep life comfortable,鈥� is the aim, Strong said.

The motivation for the services is straightforward.

鈥淲e just want to help our community as much as possible during this time. If there is anything we do to help, just reach out,鈥� Strong said.

If you鈥檇 like some help with the groceries, email: jmarshall@meninkilts.com.

Men In Kilts provides commercial window and building exterior washing services and uses a distinctive green tartan theme as their corporate colours and their staff wear green tartan kilts.

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