The Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office and Sarpy County Human Services is offering assistance like picking up prescriptions and groceries for older and ill residents during the COVID-19 pandemic event.
Starting today, seniors, people who are sick and caretakers of this demographic in Sarpy County may call the Sarpy County Sheriff Helpline at (402) 593-1593. A uniformed Sarpy County Sheriff’s Deputy in a marked cruiser will then pick up and deliver medication, food or other necessities from one of the partnering establishments. (See list below.)
Sarpy County Sheriff Jeff Davis said he applauds efforts by neighbors who are offering assistance to the most vulnerable people in our community. However, he said, that practice can invite scammers.
“The idea is that we will step up and help out by providing a secure and legitimate public service,” Davis said. “We want people who are supposed to be home to stay home. If you have no way to pick up medication or food, call us.”
“One of our missions as a county is to keep the public safe,” added Sarpy County Board Chairman Don Kelly. “In these extraordinary times, that’s exactly what we’re doing. We’re making sure our elderly and sick residents are taken care of, while ensuring our employees take extra precautions so they can return safely to their families. When circumstances are at their worst, government should be at its best – serving the needs of the people.”
Those who use the helpline must provide their name, address and phone number. Deputies will pick up items that are called in ahead of time and already paid for. They will not shop for residents or pay for the items.
To reduce contact and the spread of COVID-19, Deputies will use drive-thrus when available. They will leave residents’ items at the door and wait to leave until the items are retrieved.
The following grocery stores/pharmaceutical providers are participating in this program:
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All five Sarpy County Walgreens locations for pharmacy orders
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Walmart at 72nd and Centennial in Papillion for pharmacy and grocery (Papillion location only)
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Target location at 84th and Centennial for groceries only
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Baker’s location at 36th and Twin Creek for groceries and pharmacy
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Springfield Drug for prescriptions only
Stay tuned to the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office website and Facebook page for additions to this list.
All items need to be requested directly from the list of providers by the individual requesting assistance. The individual making the request for this service must be an account holder or rewards member at the establishment and fulfill the order with an account number on file for billing. The requester will need to call the helpline to make the request and provide an order confirmation to sarpyhelpline@sarpy.com when the order is paid and ready for pickup. Call takers on the helpline will be able to assist anyone with questions on this process.
The helpline will be available for requests Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Unless it is an emergency, requests received after 4 p.m. will be addressed the following business day. The helpline is not a substitute for 911 and any threats to life or property should be directed to 911.
The helpline will be temporary and is expected to remain in place until the COVID-19 situation improves. At this time, the helpline may also be used by the general public to make non-emergency police reports via telephone to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Again, the helpline has been established for non-emergency police reporting as well as for assistance with prepaid grocery or medication pickup for elderly or sick citizens who should not be venturing out into the public.
Media interested in additional information or interviews may call 402-593-2288.