In the Dec 11, 2011 Star Tribune, the front page featured an article headlined “State OKs care jobs for former criminals–Two agencies routinely grant exemptions for those who work with the most vulnerable people”.
Store To Door clients–elderly, homebound and vulnerable—are very hesitant to sign up for Store To Door because they are concerned about their physical and financial safety. In this note, I want to confirm who is allowed to meet and talk with our clients.
Over five years ago, we decided, because Delivery Coordinators enter the homes of our clients and complete financial transactions while there, these would be paid and insured staff. In addition to driving Store To Door vans and delivering groceries, these staff are trained in customer service and in the responsibilities of being a Mandated Reporter in the State of Minnesota. We have strict guidelines when hiring Delivery Coordinators, running them through the State of MN background check process and monitoring their driving records yearly. To date, all Delivery Coordinators hired have had clean records.
Once yearly, staff trainers from an outside resource, such as the Elder Care Rights Alliance, update the Delivery Coordinators and Store Coordinators on best practices for working with homebound elderly.
Volunteers are asked to work with our clients to take their bi-weekly order. An initial background check is done on every volunteer using the free background check website from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. One report of a non-violent offense and/or misdemeanor may be acceptable depending on the nature of the crime, the length of time that has passed since the offense, and the completion of any probation/restitution. A report including multiple misdemeanors in the last two years OR one or more felonies will render the candidate an unsuitable volunteer.
We reserve the right to decline the services of a volunteer if there is a potential the person could be a risk to clients, staff, other volunteers, Cub Foods, or the agency as a whole. Updated background checks on are run on all active volunteers every three years.
We know our clients are very concerned about their personal safety. We share their concern.
Store To Door has been hard at work the last few months creating an 
GuideStar
Carol D. has severe arthritis in her ankles and uses an oxygen tank. She was in pain after each grocery store trip and worried that she wouldn’t have enough oxygen with her when she left the house. She heard about a service called Store to Door that would do her grocery shopping and deliver the food. Now as a client she comments, “They all are so helpful. No more worrying about running out of oxygen, no more 2-3 days of ankle pain. Store To Door people are very friendly and helpful. They have made my life so much easier, less stressful and less painful.”
After 20 years in the Griggs Midway building in St. Paul, we have moved our main office. As of September 22nd, we are located in a quiet office building in Roseville (the exact address is 1935 West County Road B2) We’ll be away from the ongoing–and very loud–construction and traffic on University Ave. The building has ample parking and more importantly, more space for staff and volunteers in the office. We also have a small conference room to host meetings.