Heeding calls from the public, a number of major grocers have added extra hours for the elderly and other vulnerable community members to shop while people continue to empty store shelves during the chaos that the novel coronavirus pandemic has presented.

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In light of the increased traffic to our stores, all Longo’s locations will offer a Community Wellbeing Hour from 8-9 am every morning until further notice. This hour is being prioritized for seniors and at-risk members of our community to shop with increased confidence. We ask all Guests to support this hour to protect our community members.

A post shared by @ longosmarkets on Mar 17, 2020 at 11:38am PDT

Longo's, Loblaws, Sobeys, Eataly, Pusateri's, Nature's Emporium and Farm Boy are among the big stores that have decided to implement dedicated hours for those who may not be able to get their elbows out in the masses to procure very in-demand necessities like canned goods and toilet paper.

At Longo's, "seniors and at-risk" individuals can come in between 8 and 9 a.m., before the store usually opens, to get their shopping done "with increased confidence." Eataly will do the same.

At Loblaws and Pusateri's, these groups can come in between 7 and 8 a.m, and at Sobey's, during the first hour of store operations.

At Nature's Emporium, the same thing will take place in the half-hour before stores open at 8:30 a.m, and at Farm Boy, from 7 to 8 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 8 to 9 a.m. on Sundays.

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COVID-19 Store Update: Our store hours will be changing effective today. The new hours will be Monday to Sunday 8:30 am – 7:30pm We will also be opening our doors early (8:00 am- 8:30 am) for seniors and at-risk customers Monday to Sunday. We will be closing down the hot tables at all locations. All hot foods will be served packaged until further notice #NaturesEmporium #covid_19 #inthistogether

A post shared by Nature's Emporium (@naturescanada) on Mar 18, 2020 at 6:24am PDT

Select No Frills franchise locations — including Anthony's in Parkdale, Joe's on Dufferin, Sam & Nancy's in North York, Joseph's on Kingston Road, Ashley's in Mississauga, Mike's in Woodbridge, Vince's in Vaughan and John's in Nobleton — have also followed suit.

And Shoppers Drug Mart enacted similar measures earlier this week, even offering a special discount for those who need to shop during the priority hour.

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Starting this week, Joe’s Nofrills, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, is dedicating the first opening hour of shopping - from 7am to 8am - to our seniors and people with disabilities. Thank you for your collaboration and support. . . #elderly #disabilities #seniors #vulnerable #grocery shopping #supermarket #staysafe #letshelpeachother #nofrills #nofrills900dufferin

A post shared by NoFrills 900Dufferin (@nofrills_900dufferin) on Mar 18, 2020 at 8:05am PDT

Media personality George Stroumboulopoulos is one of many Toronto residents who have been vocal about the issue on social media, asking supermarkets to dedicate early hours of the morning to vulnerable groups to "start the day with newly sanitized cart handles, doors, tills, fully stocked, no panic."

It's uplifting to see that the concept has caught on in the face of the panic buying pandemonium that has broken out in grocery stores worldwide lately.