Senior help in Palo Alto
VoGro is free and only serves Palo Alto. We match seniors with background-checked volunteers nearby who help with groceries, prescriptions, errands, or just keeping you company.
What volunteers help with
Volunteers help with the stuff that gets harder to do on your own.
Grocery Help
A local volunteer can shop for groceries and bring them by. No app, no membership, no complicated setup.
Prescription Pickup
If getting to the pharmacy is hard, a screened volunteer can pick up your prescription and bring it to you.
Errand Help
Need help with the post office, dry cleaning, or another small errand? We can try to match you with someone nearby.
Companionship
Sometimes the main need is company. Volunteers can stop by to talk, go for a short walk, or spend time together.
Safety First
Every volunteer passes a background check, gives personal references, and goes through orientation before they're matched with anyone. You decide who comes to your home and when.
Learn about our safety practicesTell us what you need
Send a request with the basics. It might be groceries, a prescription pickup, an errand, or a visit.
We look for a good match
We try to pair you with a screened volunteer nearby who has the right availability.
You hear from them directly
Your volunteer reaches out, you sort out the details together, and the help happens from there.
Where we have volunteers
We have volunteers in every Palo Alto neighborhood.
Neighborhoods We Serve
Neighborhoods We Serve
From People Who Use VoGro
“After my hip replacement, I couldn't get to the store. I asked for help and someone local brought groceries the next day. She even helped me put them away.”
Margaret W.
Old Palo Alto
“I live in Portland, so I can't just swing by when my mom needs something. Having local volunteers who can help with everyday tasks takes a lot off my mind.”
David L.
Son of senior in Barron Park
“I was skeptical at first, but the background checks and the way they matched me with Tom — who lives just three blocks away — made me feel safe. Tom's become a real friend.”
Robert M.
Midtown Palo Alto
Frequently Asked Questions
You tell us what you need — groceries, a prescription pickup, errands, company. We match you with a background-checked volunteer in your neighborhood. No app, no cost, no subscription.
Yes. The service is free. Volunteers donate their time, and we're funded by grants and local partnerships. You just pay for whatever items are purchased (groceries, prescriptions, etc.).
Yes. A lot of requests come from adult children. You can set everything up on their behalf and stay in the loop.
All of Palo Alto — Old Palo Alto, Barron Park, College Terrace, Midtown, Downtown, Crescent Park, Professorville, South Palo Alto, and more. We're working on expanding to nearby areas.
Just call us. We'll set everything up over the phone. A lot of people prefer it that way.
Usually 24–48 hours for routine requests. If it's urgent — like a same-day prescription — we try to find someone within a few hours. Depends on who's available near you.
We pick the match based on where you live and when you're available. You can't browse volunteers, but you can ask for the same person again, and you can tell us if a match isn't working.
Need a hand? Want to lend one?
Whether you need help, you're looking after a parent, or you want to volunteer — getting started takes a few minutes.