Rite Aid will begin closing more than 100 stores next month, including the Greenfield location, following its bankruptcy filing, forcing residents to find new pharmacies for their prescriptions.

Residents in Greenfield, a rural community in southern Monterey County, are facing challenges as they seek alternative pharmacies.

“The closure of these facilities is a huge hit to our rural communities here in southern Monterey County,” said Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez. Options for prescriptions include the Greenfield Pharmacy and a CVS in Soledad, but transportation to these locations is a concern, especially for the elderly.

County officials have made recent changes to assist the elderly in accessing essential services like food distribution and medications.

“Recently, there were some changes MSD for the elderly community to be able to get to major needs, such as food distribution or to their medications, so I think we have the right pieces in place to make sure that they’re protected in terms of getting there,” said Lopez.

CVS is already experiencing long lines as people transfer their prescriptions.

“There are a lot of people in line, everybody picking up their medication, and if they close this pharmacy, where will we go?” said Mario Ortiz, a concerned resident.

Lopez expressed hope for local entrepreneurs to step up, similar to Rysa, a locally owned pharmacy in King City.

“We’re seeing the impacts with those lines, I’m hoping that we have local entrepreneurs like we’ve seen down in King City with Rysa a locally owned pharmacy that recently stood up in order to serve the community’s needs,” Lopez said.

The Greenfield Pharmacy is also seeing an influx of customers, but with limited staff, they are struggling to keep up.

Residents say the closure of Rite Aid adds an extra burden to their daily lives.

“It just adds an extra burden to them in terms of getting a prescription that might not be that easy to get in the first place,” said Zaiyda Brison.