City officials, grocers: 'Please don't panic and don't hoard'

Menifee resident Chris Ojeda waits in a long line to get inside Winco in Perris and shop for groceries.

As grocery store employees work overtime to re-stock shelves in the midst of buyer panic regarding the coronavirus pandemic, Menifee city officials and store managers are trying to assure residents there is no need for the kind of hoarding of items seen throughout the area.

“Our team is working hard as we keep up with customer demand,” Stater Bros. announced on Facebook. “Our CEO Pete Van Helden has even stepped in to help!

“Due to high demand and to ensure products are available for everyone in the community, there are limits on some products. We are receiving some product, but it is sporadic. Our team is getting product to our stores as quickly as it becomes available.

“Calling the stores will not help. They will not be able to tell you what is coming in or when. Be assured that all of our merchandise is being sold at its everyday price.

“We are in this together to keep our community safe.”

Stater Bros. has announced temporary reduced hours of 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. to “allow us sufficient time to thoroughly clean our stores, restock merchandise and ensure a safe and healthy shopping experience for our customers and employees.”

City Council member Lesa Sobek posted a message to residents on her Facebook page after talking to local store managers.

“Orders of meat, dairy, produce, dry goods etc. are made six months in advance. There are regular daily scheduled deliveries,” she wrote. “Please don’t panic and don’t hoard. Be wise, be kind, take care of your family and be a good neighbor.”

Ralphs is updating announcements on its Facebook page, including the fact that store hours have been reduced to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“We believe that everyone deserves to have access to fresh, affordable food and essentials, especially in times of uncertainty,” one Ralphs statement read. “That’s why our teams are working so hard to keep our stores clean, open and stocked. That’s why we took the precautionary step on March 2 to limit the number of cold, flu and sanitary products per order…so everyone can have access to the items they need.

“And that’s why our supply chain teams are working to ensure that the food, medicine and cleaning supplies our customers need are reaching our stores as quickly as possible and are available through our pickup, delivery and ship services.”

Social media is flooded with messages about the crowds at local markets. Many are complaining about hoarders. One message from a senior who lives in Sun City said she found no bread at a local market and when she asked someone with several loaves in their cart for one of them, she was rudely rejected.

On the other hand, many residents are offering to help each other and urging the community to pull together and not panic.