The Port Townsend Food Co-op has chosen to make shopping for low-income people with EBT cards, who are also seniors and/or high-risk, not possible unless they come into the store.
I placed an order and was told I would have to come in the store to use my EBT card. This would not even be during the time designated for high-risk customers.
The Chimacum Corner Store, The Orcas Island Food Cooperative and even the Shoprite in New Jersey where my sister lives, will take payment by having an employee come out to your car and take your card into the store on your behalf, equipped with the pin number by the EBT recipient.
Why won't the PT Co-op? I find this to be shameful. Why would they choose to expose those who are disabled, like myself, (and in my case I even have a service dog that I cannot leave in the car and would not bring in the store) rather than just taking the card at the time of purchase at the curbside? I canceled my order when I learned that the Corner Store was very willing to keep me out of the store!
This virus has affected all of us in different ways, and many businesses are easing restrictions, some self-imposed, to make it possible for people to obtain what they need in order to survive this unprecedented situation. Our Food Co-op has chosen not to support those of us with EBT cards who are at risk, members of the co-op, and I find this deplorable. This is in contrast to everything a community cooperative represents.
Shame on you PT Co-op for choosing to stick to an absurd agenda during a time of crisis when we all need to work together to survive. Wake up and be kind.
Quija Keogh
Port Townsend
