Another thing i like to do if you dont end up going through with the grocery store thing- i bring a purse usually into dg and loading it up, going to the car and heading to the next dg (emptying the purse into the car probably into grocery bags or something) or going to a bunch of cvs'es or rite aids/ dollar tree/ etcetc. Unsure if you can go in with a purse and seem nonsus to them but in whatever event good luck, you.

If you said you are near NYC as it gets colder a jacket with a hole in the lining is invaluable especially at places like the dollar general.