Mapua was located outside the area for most non-rural supermarket delivery services until Top Up Box started.
Eligible residents who signed up for the service, ordered groceries online and then community volunteers delivered the items to their door three times per week.
Mapua businesswoman Debbie Lavery said she was approached by local Four Square owner, Damon Kroupa, to help create and run the service with support from the community association.
Lavery said she wanted to be a part of Top Up Box to give back to the community which had been so supportive of her and her restaurant over the years.
“It’s all about the old fashioned values of looking out for your neighbours and it's in times like these that you realise how important they are.”
82-year old Mapua resident Dr. John Mills said the service was splendid and everything he asked for was delivered.
Mills said Top Up Box is a great way to keep the elderly community safe from COVID-19.
“From the epidemiological point of view, it’s an excellent way of breaking the transmission chain.”
Eligible members included people over 65, immune-compromised, the disabled or individuals with medical conditions that prevented them from leaving home.
Email mapuatopupbox@gmail.com to register.