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Sendial Program

When someone needs a hand, we are happy to help. Our Sendial Volunteer Shopping Program does the shopping for customers who, because of injury, frailty or other physical reason, can’t easily get to our stores or shop independently.

Sendial was born out of the collaborative vision of Thrifty Foods customer and seniors advocate Prue Cunningham, and Thrifty Foods founder Alex Campbell Senior. The service opened at our Fairfield, Victoria location on January 13, 1987. Within a year, more than 100 customers depended on Sendial for their weekly groceries and fresh foods. Today, that number has grown to over 800 customers served every week!

Celebrating 25 Years of Sendial

Sendial is made possible through the generous hearts and hands of more than 600 dedicated volunteers. We are honoured, grateful, and inspired by the commitment of this incredible volunteer team, who work incredibly hard to quietly help our community.

Getting Started with Sendial

How can I join the Sendial volunteer team?

Though our team is 600 dedicated volunteers strong, the program keeps growing and willing hands are always appreciated. Sendial volunteers commit to a single, two to four-hour volunteer shift each week. If you’d like to learn more about the program and volunteer requirements, check out our Volunteer Position Descriptions. If you have a heart for helping, we’d love to talk to you! Give us a call at 250-544-1234 or 1-800-667-8280 (press 2). Or, fill out our Sendial Volunteer Position Application and a Sendial Recruitment Volunteer will connect with you.*

*Vacancies are not always available at specific locations, so potential candidates may be wait-listed until a position comes open.

How does Sendial work?

Thrifty Foods Sendial volunteers call each Sendial customer on an assigned day each week to take their order, and then shop the order the next day. After we process the order through our checkout, we send it out for delivery in a refrigerated delivery truck. Delivery times vary from week to week depending on what other orders are on the delivery truck, but you can be sure you’ll receive your groceries the day after placing your order. We do require that someone be available to accept and pay for the order in person when we deliver. Sendial is available on a temporary or permanent basis for just $5 per delivery. For more information, visit our Sendial FAQs or contact our Customer Care team.

Who is eligible for Sendial?

Our priority is to help as many people in need as we are able, within the bounds of the volunteer and Thrifty Foods team resources. To make the availability of this service fair, we do have some eligibility requirements. Check out our Sendial FAQs for detailed eligibility requirements, or contact our Customer Care team with any questions.

How can I register for Sendial service?

If you need shopping help, talk to us. Our Customer Care team is available at 250-544-1234 or 1-800-667-8280 (press 2). Alternatively, email us your name and a daytime telephone number, or complete the online Sendial Registration Form below and we’ll give you a call to answer your questions and talk to you about eligibility*.

*Space in this program is limited so customers will be wait-listed if their service location is operating at capacity.

How to Register

To register, please call Customer Care at 250-544-1234 or 1-800-667-8280 and press 2, or email your name and a phone number you can be reached at during daytime hours. A Customer Care representative will determine your eligibility for Sendial. Once eligibility has been confirmed, Customer Care will take all required information and determine your service days. Alternately, you may complete and fax a Sendial Registration Form and a Customer Care representative will follow up with you within five business days.

Download the Sendial Registration Form

Please review the Sendial FAQ's for specific program information or call/email our Customer Care Team with any questions.

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