Smartest way to send groceries to relative in another state?

Question

I need some good advice. I currently live in Mo, and I have a sister who lives in Florida. She is having some difficult financial times. I thought about sending her a care package, and purchasing boxed food items from the store, and shipping it down there for her kids. I would get her a gift card, but I want to make sure that my investment goes to the right source. What would be the best way to do this? If I send her food items, I am concerned that the postage will cost more than the food in the box. What is the best approach? I want to help her as soon as possible. Thanks

Answer 1

http://www.peapod.com you can order them on line and have them sent to your sister. Plus I think you get a discount on your first order

Answer 2

Send Groceries

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Smartest way to send groceries to relative in another state?
I need some good advice. I currently live in Mo, and I have a sister who lives in Florida. She is having some difficult financial times. I thought about sending her a care package, and purchasing boxed food items from the store, and shipping it down there for her kids. I would get her a gift card,...

Answer 4

I like Sugar's answer. That was going to be mine! It would be quick and easy. Some grocery stores have online service, too. You can shop for the desired items, and pay for them online, then have them delivered to her house. Just do an online search for grocer's in her town to see who offers the service.
If you want to send her actual food, or this doesn't work out for some reason, there's an alternative. Instead of canned goods (which are very heavy!), think dry! Instant potatoes, Hamburger Helper, pasta, boxed mac 'n cheese, dried fruit, cereal, instant pudding, Jell-o, powdered milk (great for cooking, not so tasty for drinking!), quick cooking oats, Kool-Aid, and on and on. The possibilities are practically endless! Avoid chocolate or anything else that's temperature sensitive, those trucks can get really hot! Line your shipping carton with a big trash bag or something to protect the items from moisture or contamination of any sort.
It might be cheaper to ship UPS for a large carton, than regular mail. Check the different rates to find the best deal. You can sometimes send packages on a passenger bus, too. If your sister can't get to the bus station, have a taxi (pre-paid) pick up the box and deliver it to her house. That might be pricey, but it's an option!
A taxi could also pick up pre-paid groceries from a store that doesn't have a delivery service (usually someone will gather the food to make the sale). You can probably pay by credit card, or send a check or money order, then have them call to confirm receipt, then you can set the date to have them do it.
Also, check out the rules on gift cards for her local stores. Often times, they are not valid for tobacco or alcohol purchases, if that's your concern.
Maybe someone from a local church would be willing to do the shopping and delivery, for a "donation" for their time and trouble. I think I'd try that. If you can't trust a church, who can you trust?
Hope I've given you some good options, and that one works for you. Bless you for being such a caring brother and uncle. Good luck, and good luck to your sister.

Answer 5

Most grocery stores have grocery delivery. Check with her local grocery store, pick out the items and pay for them over the phone, they they will deliver them to her house at a specified time. This way the items wouldn't even have to be non-perishable and it would be less expensive than trying to ship something you've purchased here. Just make sure she'll be home to accept the delivery I used to do this a lot with my sister, too. Very thoughtful way to help out!

Answer 6

I think a gift card is the way to go. I live in FL and you could get her one for Publix (southern grocery chain) - there's not a whole lot else to buy there but food. Or a Walmart gift card to a Walmart superstore.Sending a care package is sweet, but for your time and trouble and the expense of mailing, a gift card to the grocery store is a better idea.

Answer 7

Http://packabarrel.com and http://youngambo.com My church members of the SDA faith use them consistently for sending grocery to their relatives in the Caribbean, especially Trinidad, Jamaica, Dominica, Barbados, Antigua, St. Vincent, St. Lucia. The good thing is, same day store pick up and home delivery is available.

Answer 8

There is an easier way, most grocery chains have gift certificates. You can buy a gift certificate and then send the certificate. It's quicker and cheaper than buying and sending the food.

Answer 9

Are you serious? Of course it's possible to lose mail. Most likely it was stolen. Even going from NY to CA should generally only take about 3 days or so. Report it and get a new one.

Answer 10

You can purchase gift cards, but they may not be spent in ways you'd approve of. You can order online and have the items shipped directly to her, but the shipping charges are likely to be even higher going that route.

Personally, I'd do my own shopping and then ship via US postal service either parcel post (which would be the cheapest option although it also takes the longest to arrive), or in one of their flat-rate priority boxes (which charges the same flat rate for anything that will fit into the flat-rate box.)

Answer 11

most larger supermarkets have gift cards as mentioned...also- as someone else stated you could call ahead about grocery delivery.

Your sister is fortunate to have you.